Schoolchildren have been helping ‘in spades’ with the restoration of Stanley Park as part of the Anfield Regeneration Project.
Ten pupils from Four Oaks primary school donned hard hats and picked up tools to help park restorers – construction firm Willmott Dixon – dig over borders and carry out planting on Dahlia Walk.
As part of the major spruce up for the park, which dates back to 1870, new trees, shrubs and flowers are being planted, alongside improvements to existing pathways, installation of new lighting and a complete make over for the car park.
Dahlia Walk is one of the historic routes across the park and is much loved by residents and visitors, especially in late summer when it is in full bloom.
Sara Robinson, Head Teacher at Four Oaks primary school, said: “We jumped at the chance when we were invited to help Willmott Dixon make the park look more beautiful.
“The park is somewhere our children visit with their families and is also a big part of school life so they were absolutely thrilled to plant the dahlias and feel they too are part of the regeneration.
“The school is actively involved in community projects in Anfield like litter picking before football matches and all the pupils here are really keen in helping improve the community.”
The Dahlia is indigenous to Mexico and is that country’s national plant. They were first introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers at the end of the 18th century. Today they are regarded as invaluable for the summer border, in patio containers or as cut flowers, often flowering until the first frosts, offering a wide range of flower types.
Nicola Tyson-Lightfoot, Community Engagement Coordinator for Willmott Dixon, said: “We recently visited the school to teach the children about construction site safety and they were so engaged with all the plans for Anfield that we invited them to help with the project.
“It was wonderful to see just how much the children enjoyed themselves, it was a great day and they have genuinely played a part in restoring one of the jewels in Anfield’s crown.”
The restoration of Stanley Park is part of the £260m regeneration of Anfield led by a partnership of Liverpool City Council, Your Housing Group and Liverpool FC.
It includes the redevelopment of Liverpool FC’s main stand, new and refurbished housing, improved shopping facilities and public spaces, office buildings, the training hotel and the creation of a major new pedestrian-friendly avenue and public square.
