Parks & Green Spaces

Calderdale’s parks and green spaces are some of our greatest assets, places where people come together to relax, play, celebrate, and get active. The more our parks are used, the safer and more welcoming they become for everyone. That’s why Calderdale Council has been working to make it easier for local groups, charities, and organisations to host events and activities in our parks and green spaces. Breaking down barriers In the past, one of the biggest barriers to organisin

The North Halifax Partnership (NHP)  is a community-focused organisation based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. It delivers a wide range of initiatives designed to improve local wellbeing and strengthen public services. The NHP has been a key partner in system change work with Parks and Green Spaces (GSSS) and now leads on several Park Partnership Groups across North Halifax, including Mixenden , Beechwood Park , and Shroggs Park . These groups are helping to develop a community-l

If you’ve visited Calderdale’s parks recently, you may have noticed the old signs — plain green and white boards, simply displaying the park’s name and council logo. Residents felt these were uninviting and lacked useful information. Listening to the community has been central to our approach. When a new sign was planned for Mixenden Urban Park, the initial options didn’t meet expectations. This prompted Active Calderdale Project Manager Gemma Beckwith to work closely with t

As part of our ongoing focus on parks and green spaces, Active Calderdale has been developing a new set of park map resource leaflets, designed to help people discover the many ways they can be active right on their doorstep. These maps are more than just guides. They’re conversation starters, created especially for practitioners who work with local residents, from social prescribers and community connectors to wellbeing coaches and activity leaders. Each leaflet highlights w

The Girls @ Beechwood  project has given local teenage girls the chance to share their thoughts, experiences and hopes for Beechwood Park, a place that should feel safe, welcoming and fun for everyone. Remembering the past, seeing the present The first project workshop looked back at childhood memories. For many of the girls, the park once meant freedom, imagination and fun, a place to play on swings and make memories with family. “I remember being careless and free when goin

Making walking fun and accessible for parents in Calderdale Exploring the great outdoors with your little ones can be a joyful adventure, but it can also feel tricky if you’re not sure where to go. That’s where Little Legs  comes in. Started by local mum Rebecca, Little Legs provides a selection of short, accessible, child-friendly walking routes across the Upper Calder Valley, making it simple for parents to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and quality time with their children. Re

The North Halifax Partnership has long been at the heart of community life locally, working to create opportunities that bring people together, improve wellbeing, and make our neighbourhoods more connected. One of their latest successes is the Mixenden Urban Park Pop-up Skatepark  – a vibrant initiative (ongoing until the end of March 2026) that’s giving young people in the area a safe and exciting place to ride, skate, and connect. Before the pop-up sessions began, the skat

North Halifax Partnership (NHP)  is a community-focused organisation based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, dedicated to improving local...

Brackenbed Park has been given a new lease of life, and the community came together to celebrate in style. Thanks to recent improvements...

Planting Seeds of Change Through Partnership Through the Active Calderdale Sport England pilot, a bold new way of working is reshaping...

Over the past year, something bold and beautiful has taken root in Mixenden. Following the renovation of the Urban Park, there was an opportunity to hand the reins of imagination to local young people—giving them space not just to play, but to create, to lead, and to leave their mark.

Mixenden Reservoir has long been a cherished part of North Halifax—a scenic retreat for water sports and walkers alike. But beyond its shimmering waters lies something quietly magical: a network of woodland paths waiting to be explored.

Calderdale Council's Green Spaces and Street Scene (GSSS) is responsible for maintaining and improving parks, green spaces, and streets across Calderdale. Through the Active Calderdale Place Partnership with Sport England, there was a real opportunity to explore the potential for long-term change. Active Calderdale’s focus on parks began two years ago, targeting key priority groups in areas of highest deprivation. “The approach is targeted - focusing on those who need support

During community consultations, residents said they wanted more fun and engaging activities in the park.

Free, fun, and active—kids love running with junior parkrun.

A new chapter in Calderdale’s vision for more active green spaces.

A stunning Paxton park reimagined for active living today.

Recently we wrote about the collaborative work happening in Shroggs Park which hopes to deliver improvements designed to make the area more

Our parks and green spaces are key assets within our communities where residents and visitors have free access to nature and space to be phy

Evaluating the impact of active projects within Calderdale plays a vital role in the whole systems approach employed by Active Calderdale.