Green-space guardians are winning

VISITOR numbers to parks and green spaces in Leeds have soared – and complaints to the council department dealing with vandalism and littering almost halved – since a team of gardening guardians was created in the city.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Sep 2012, 07:00 BST

A report to Leeds City Council showed there were more than 2,000 complaints about the state of its parks and countryside spaces in 2007.

However, since a site-based gardener scheme was introduced in some parks, overall complaint numbers have fallen to just over 1,000.

A report by the council’s head of parks and countryside Phil Staniforth said: “The funded site-based gardeners have helped make marked improvements.

“There have been vast improvements to the horticultural maintenance of these parks as well as a reduction in litter and dog faeces.

“As a result, parks and countryside have observed an increase in the number of residents using the parks.

“There has been a significant change in public opinion, which has subsequently reduced complaints. The service has been complimented on a number of improvements.”

Leeds Leeds City Council