Creating an Active Brackenbed Park

As a result of Active Calderdale’s Community-Led Approach, there is a strong recognition that safe and welcoming parks and green spaces play a key role in helping people stay active. Access to the outdoors, especially close to home, brings wide-ranging benefits for both mental and physical health.

In 2023, the Park Ward Parks and Greenspaces Partnership Group was established to develop and guide improvement plans for identified parks within Park Ward—an area with limited green space. Through community engagement, Brackenbed Park emerged as a location with significant potential to serve as a valued community resource.

The partnership group includes representatives from the local authority, voluntary and community organisations, and elected local members. Together, they are committed to ensuring that changes to the park reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who use it.

Listening to the Community

One of the first actions taken by the group was to connect with local residents to hear their views. Through focus groups, door-to-door conversations, and informal chats with park users, the group gathered a wealth of insights. They asked: What would make Brackenbed Park a place people would want to visit more often? What should it look and feel like to truly serve the community?

These conversations provided a clear understanding of the community’s vision for the space and helped shape the direction of the project.

Understanding the Challenges

Brackenbed Park sits on a site previously used for landfill, presenting several technical and environmental challenges. These include underground gas formation, depth restrictions due to landfill capping, and a culvert running beneath the site. All of these factors limit what can safely be developed or planted in the area.

Despite these challenges, the group remains focused on creating a safe and enjoyable space that the community can take pride in and use regularly.

From Vision to Action

With a strong understanding of what was possible on the site and a clear community vision in place, the next step was to develop a concept plan—a visual outline of the park's future. This plan was shared back with the community, allowing local residents to co-design key features and give feedback on proposed changes.

The result was a robust, community-led improvement plan, which formed the basis of a successful funding proposal. This proposal was approved by the Active Park Ward Community Panel, helping to unlock support for the first phase of improvements.

Planned Improvements: Progress So Far

The improvement plan includes a range of practical, creative, and accessible features designed to bring new life to Brackenbed Park. Several of these enhancements have already been completed:

• ✅ Fly tipping removal – partially completed

• 🔜 New fencing – to prevent fly tipping from nearby terraces off Pellon Lane

• 🔜 Noticeboards and signage – to welcome and inform visitors

• 🔜 Sculptures – to reflect the park’s character and history

• ✅ Restoration of the original carriage drive – a limestone path has been added where needed

• ✅ Footpath improvements and connections – making the park easier to navigate

• 🟡 New seating areas – rock seating installed; bench installation pending

• 🔜 Waymarkers with QR codes – sharing stories about the site’s nature and history

• ✅ An accessible woodland path – opening up new walking routes

• ✅ Improved entrance from Brackenbed Lane – enhancing access for all

• 🔜 A community launch event – to celebrate and promote the revitalised space

“This work has been needed for many years, and thanks to the efforts of Active Calderdale and the Parks & Greenspaces Partnership Group, it is finally happening. This is just the beginning of a longer process that will continue to develop over the coming years.”

Chris Sutcliffe, Area Countryside Officer, Calderdale Council

Building More Than a Park

While physical improvements are essential, they’re only part of the picture. Creating a space doesn’t automatically mean people, especially those who are less active, will use it. The partnership group understood the importance of ongoing community support and involvement.

Local organisations, services, and groups have played a key role in promoting Brackenbed Park and encouraging its use. Their involvement includes organising walks to the site, holding walking meetings, and helping raise awareness of the park’s transformation.

“The process behind these improvements has been crucial in ensuring that the work is truly community-led. Until recently, access to the site was poor. Now, the community is actively shaping a safer, more accessible, and more attractive space they can use regularly.”

Anthony Whittaker, Public Health Practitioner

Looking Ahead

The work at Brackenbed Park is far from over. The team remains committed to delivering every improvement in the plan—and most importantly, to continuing their work with the community, ensuring that the park continues to meet local needs and becomes a space that people feel proud to visit and use. Looking to the future, it’s also hoped that Brackenbed Park can become a vital link between North and Central Halifax, encouraging greater community connection and cohesion.