An Invitation to become a member of the charity of The Park, Kilnwick
The Park, Kilnwick project to create a new green public space, is progressing brilliantly – thanks to the support, kindness and help of the community, combined with the advice and direction from organisations working with the Charity Trustees. We are at a stage now where we would like to formally invite those in the community to become Members of “The Park, Kilnwick” Charity. The Membership form is attached. We would also like to provide more detailed information about the plans for The Park.
Why do we need members for our Charity?
The Park will be available to everyone, whether Members of Charity or not. However, we would like to formalise the Charity membership for the following reasons:
To unite a group of interested individuals of all ages to provide a broad cross section of opinions about the needs and desires of the community as the project evolves.
To stand for election as Charity Trustees in future (our Charity is an “Association Model” which means that the Trustees stand down on a 3 yearly cycle).
To assist in the creation and maintenance of park facilities and in the running of celebration events and group events at The Park.
And most of all, to be a unified group of people who want to enjoy the recreational, educational, social and wildlife elements of this fabulous project.
1) To provide local communities with a place where they can safely exercise, socialise, learn and play. This will be fulfilled by:
a 3 acre mown grassed area for ball games and exercise
an agility trail
a play area (with swings / slide / climbing frame and so forth) and natural play (such as den making / sand pit / log balance beams/ grass mounds) – this has been designed to be accessible to all children
seating for all ages including picnic benches
an orienteering challenge
2) To enhance biodiversity through native woodland and habitat creation. Wildlife education resources for families, schools and playgroups will be created and utilised. This will be fulfilled by:
Over 1 acre of new native woodland planting (first 420 trees were planted in November 2016 and a further 420 will be planted in March 2017).
A new native hedgerow around 120 metres in length incorporating a lime tree avenue
A community fruit orchard of 45 trees
Wildflower planting
Bird / insect / hedgehog and bat habitat creation following advice from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
A nature trail and wildlife information notice boards
Talks / workshops from organisations such as Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, East Yorkshire Rivers Trust and the Woodland Trust.
3) To encourage local people to make a positive change in their lives by developing confidence, skills and abilities through volunteering. This will be fulfilled by:
Regular voluntary activity to establish and develop the park’s natural elements (tree planting / bulb planting / habitat creation) and maintenance of the facilities (play equipment inspection / habitat maintenance / facilities maintenance).
Involving Kilnwick Youth Club and the children attending local playgroups, primary schools and special schools to be involved in the creation and maintenance of the park.
4) To revitalise communities by creating a focal hub for community clubs and groups to utilise and for celebration events. This will be fulfilled by:
Creating a facility that can be utilised by Kilnwick groups – including Village Hall Association / Youth Club / Exercise Class / Countrywomen’s Association.
Creating a facility to benefit local playgroups and schools, and other visiting youth clubs and groups from the area.
As a venue to host celebration events such as barn dances, summer fetes, family picnics and sports days.
Creating a venue for fundraising for other community causes such as All Saints Church or Kilnwick Village Hall.
What has been achieved so far?
In April 2016 the 6.5 acre piece of land was purchased by 3 Kilnwick families – the Styches, Bristows and Beddows families. They gifted the land to “The Park, Kilnwick” Charity in perpetuity.
Throughout 2016 the Charity Trustees and community members consulted with the community, local educational establishments and many local and national organisations to ensure that the project exceeded all best practices and met the needs of the community.
A Charity was formed (no: 1168729), planning permission gained and preliminary funding confirmed in the autumn of 2016. During December 2016, 3 further funding sources were confirmed.
In November 2016 land drainage works were carried out to The Park, to maximise the usefulness of the land in all seasons. The first 420 native woodland trees were planted by (almost 70) eager volunteers in November 2016. We also secured the assistance of many skilled individuals who have volunteered their time and skills in agricultural works and playground installation.
We’ve got 2 Charity members trained as Playground Inspectors and been registered with East Riding Council for Voluntary Youth Services.
We have received donations from Kilnwick residents - these plus grants from Village SOS, Tesco – Bags of Help, Local Postcode Trust , Big Lottery – Celebrate England, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council – Active Creative alongside ongoing Woodland Trust support mean that the following elements of The Park have been funded this far:
All woodland and hedgerow saplings until the planting scheme is complete
All specimen trees and orchard trees
All wildlife habitat creation elements (bird boxes, bat boxes etc)
Main Noticeboard and educational notice boards / wildlife trail
Orienteering course
All agricultural works / grass seed / wildlife seed / wildflower plug plants
Part of the playground equipment and natural play equipment (including a donated tunnel)
What is the next stage?
We are continuing to apply for funding, mainly for the remaining elements of the playground equipment and safety surfacing.
During the Spring of 2017 there will be at least 2 more volunteering opportunities:
The planting of more woodland trees / specimen trees & orchard trees
Assisting with stone removal from the land, prior to the grass seed being laid
During the Summer of 2017 the play equipment will be installed.
On 2nd September 2017 the park will open to the public. Celebrate England have provided us with a grant for our “Grand Opening Party.” This will be an event to remember (a daytime summer fete with sports and music, and an evening barn dance) – so please make a note in your diaries! We will be asking for your help for further ideas for this fabulous celebration! We will probably hold another celebration on the 3rd September 2017 - so keep the whole weekend free if you would like to join in the celebrations!
Project costs
Our set up costs have been funded by generous financial donations by many of those residing in Kilnwick, and also by the 5 Funders so far secured. We continue to apply for further funding to try and raise the remaining money needed to complete the playground elements. Thus far we have raised around £64,000 through private donations and grants, with around £30,000 left to fundraise to complete all elements of the play area. Our running costs, once established, are very modest (less than £1000 per year). We anticipate meeting these comfortably by fundraising and donations. If you would like to make a donation now, to assist with the remaining set up costs, we would be hugely grateful. We also have a scheme (see attached sheet) where you can “adopt a tree” within the Park (if desired, with an acknowledgement plaque) in return for your kind support.
What other help do we need?
We need:
Ideas! If you have more ideas for The Park, and the opening party – please tell us (contact details are below).
Corporate sponsorship – if you know of a business that may like to endorse our project, please let us know.
Logs (in good condition) for seating and agility trail
How to keep in touch with the project?
We send out regular email updates - if you haven’t already, please supply us with your email address – at theparkkilnwick@gmail.com Keep an eye on our website (the “news” section is a blog that is regularly updated) - www.theparkkilnwick.org