Key Points
- Schoolchildren from across Bolton have taken a leading role in cleaning up local parks and green spaces, inspiring the wider community to join efforts against litter and environmental neglect.
- Multiple parks, including Tonge Park, Milnthorpe Park, Leverhulme Park, and Queen’s Park, have benefited from clean-up initiatives supported by pupils, local councillors, and community groups.
- The clean-up campaigns are part of broader maintenance and improvement plans, with new funding and staff dedicated to park upkeep3.
- Local councillors, including Nick Peel, Martin Donaghy, Emily Mort, Sean Fielding, Robert Morrisey, and Adele Warren, have collaborated to secure £108,000 in funding for enhanced park maintenance.
- The initiatives also involve support and participation from volunteer groups such as Bolton Green Umbrella, Faiths4Change, and the Bolton Council of Mosques.
- Community events and educational activities have accompanied the litter picks, promoting intergenerational and interfaith collaboration.
- Statements from local leaders and volunteers highlight the importance of community spirit and environmental responsibility.
- The projects are intended to serve as a catalyst for ongoing community engagement and improved public spaces in Bolton.
Schoolchildren across Bolton are setting a powerful example for their community by spearheading clean-up operations in local parks, with support from councillors, volunteer groups, and residents. Their efforts are part of a larger movement to restore and maintain Bolton’s green spaces, ensuring they remain safe, welcoming, and well-kept for all.
How Are Schoolchildren in Bolton Leading Park Clean-Up Efforts?
As reported by the Bolton Council News Team of Bolton Council, a new maintenance and improvement plan has been rolled out for Tonge Park, Milnthorpe Park, and Leverhulme Park. This initiative sees a dedicated neighbourhood services officer rotate between the three parks, focusing on tasks such as litter picking, path edging, pruning, jet washing bins and benches, painting railings, removing fly-tipping, and clearing weeds. The officer works closely with local volunteer groups, who regularly dedicate their spare time to the upkeep of these parks.
In addition, as detailed by the editorial team at Olive Bolton, younger pupils have been actively involved in cleaning their immediate school grounds and neighbouring streets, while older children have ventured out to local parks and gardens to extend their impact. These efforts are not only improving the environment but also instilling a sense of civic responsibility in the younger generation.
What Role Have Local Councillors and Funding Played in the Clean-Up?
According to Bolton Council News, the two-year programme was made possible after Tonge with the Haulgh Councillors Nick Peel, Martin Donaghy, and Emily Mort joined forces with Breightmet Councillors Sean Fielding, Robert Morrisey, and Adele Warren. Together, they allocated £108,000 from their local devolved budgets to fund the new staff position and additional maintenance activities. Councillor Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, stated:
“This is a unique type of project; councillors from two adjacent wards bringing together their local budgets to provide extra maintenance over and above that which other parks receive. It’s quite groundbreaking, and I urge other councillors to also think outside of the box for similar schemes.”
Councillor Richard Silvester, Executive Member for Climate Change and Environment, added:
“Bolton is incredibly blessed with parks and green spaces, but keeping them in a good state of repair so that people feel safe and happy using them can be a challenge. This new project clearly shows the benefits of local councillors working together to make progress on the things that are important to communities. Thanks to this new funding, these three parks will be cleaner and better maintained, and I encourage local people to visit and enjoy them.”
How Have Community Groups and Volunteers Supported the Clean-Up?
As reported by the editorial team at Bolton Green Umbrella, a significant community clean-up event took place at Queen’s Park, where local groups, including Bolton Green Umbrella, North Bolton, Bolton West and Johnson Fold litter pickers, Faiths4Change, Bolton Council, and Bolton Council of Mosques, joined forces. The event, held on a sunny Saturday, focused on litter picking along the river near Queen’s Park a known problem area for fly-tipping and litter, which increases local flood risks.
Heather Berry, representing the Litter Pickers of Bolton West, commented:
“This area, in common with many others, seems to have lost its sense of community and this is reflected in the fact that what could be a beautiful riverside is blighted by fly-tipping and casual dumping of domestic waste. It has been great to see the professional services working with volunteer groups and members of the public to clean up the streets and river banks, but this is just the start of a longer project. The Litter Pickers of Bolton West, North Bolton and Johnson Fold hope that we have inspired the local residents to get involved in future clean-up operations and that this will be a catalyst to bring the community closer together.”
Liz Atherton of Faiths4Change added:
“It’s fantastic to see interfaith and intergenerational communities from across Bolton coming out to help deal with this ongoing problem. We need to deal with the source of the issue and stop the fly-tipping from happening in the first place. The few people who do it, especially those from other areas who target this area as a fly-tipping spot, have a huge impact on the rest of the community. We need to educate ourselves around waste and be talking to our children about reducing, reusing, and recycling.”
What Educational and Community Activities Have Accompanied the Clean-Ups?
Following the Queen’s Park litter pick, a community event was held in the Pavilion, featuring food and activities for children, provided by Faiths4Change and Bolton Council of Mosques. The event aimed to celebrate the collective achievement and foster a sense of community among participants.
Bolton Council provided equipment and logistical support, with operatives collecting filled bags as volunteers worked throughout the area. These efforts were complemented by ongoing educational campaigns encouraging residents and children to adopt more sustainable waste habits and take pride in their local environment.
How Are These Initiatives Expected to Impact the Community Long-Term?
The clean-up projects are intended to serve as a catalyst for ongoing community engagement and environmental stewardship in Bolton. As highlighted by Heather Berry of the Litter Pickers of Bolton West, the hope is that these initial efforts will inspire more residents to participate in future clean-ups and help restore a sense of community pride.
Councillor Nick Peel’s call for other councillors to consider similar joint funding schemes suggests that the success of this initiative could lead to more widespread improvements across Bolton’s parks and green spaces. The involvement of schoolchildren in these activities is particularly significant, as it not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also lays the foundation for a more responsible and engaged future generation.
What Are the Next Steps for Bolton’s Park Clean-Up Initiatives?
The neighbourhood services officer funded by local councillors will continue to rotate between Tonge Park, Milnthorpe Park, and Leverhulme Park, carrying out enhanced maintenance and working alongside volunteer groups. The project is set to run for two years, with the potential for further expansion if successful.
Community groups such as Bolton Green Umbrella continue to organise regular clean-up events and are actively seeking new volunteers. Residents interested in participating can find more information and upcoming events through the group’s website.
Why Is Community Involvement Crucial for the Success of These Projects?
As noted by Liz Atherton of Faiths4Change, addressing the root causes of litter and fly-tipping requires ongoing education and community engagement. By involving children, families, and local organisations, the clean-up initiatives foster a culture of shared responsibility and environmental awareness.
The collaborative approach—bringing together schools, councillors, volunteer groups, and residents—has proven effective in achieving tangible results and building momentum for future improvements.