Fresh signs for Calderdale parks

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, so Gemma Beckwith, Active Calderdale Project Manager, worked closely with the Green Spaces & Street Scene (GSSS) team to explore a redesign.

With input from Calderdale Council's Communications team and approval from Ian Day, Director of Public Services and Lucy Bradwell, Head of Communications, a new sign was developed featuring clear icons and relevant park information. The first of these signs has now been installed at Mixenden Urban Park, funded by Active Parks.

Gemma Beckwith explains:

“A fresh sign design with park information ensures the space is accessible. Although encouraging change within services was challenging, particularly with tight budgets, support from Sport England funding allowed us to develop a design that informs and engages visitors.”

These signs provide practical information about park facilities, as well as reminders on how to maintain a safe and welcoming space. They reflect Calderdale Council’s commitment to listening to residents and enhancing green spaces to meet community needs.

As funds allow, this design will be rolled out across parks and green spaces borough-wide, making Calderdale’s parks more informative and enjoyable for everyone.