Financial boost to make Barnfield Park bloom

Bury Council is investing £100,000 into Barnfield Park in Prestwich to help it become a blooming inspiration for the whole city-region.

This is the first step in what the council and City of Trees hope will turn the former horticulture centre into a new base for Greater Manchester’s Community Forest Team.

The masterplan incudes bringing back into use the polytunnels and planter beds for growing trees and wildflowers for use in projects in Bury and elsewhere in the conurbation. The aim is to make it a haven of practical learning for people to gain the skills needed to access jobs in the environment sector. Communities and schools will be able to visit the site and be inspired to deliver greening projects in their own parks, gardens and school grounds.

Councillor Alan Quinn, Bury Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “This investment will strengthen our partnership with City of Trees by leasing the building and yard to them, allowing us to increase our partnership work on projects across every township in Bury.

“We need to plant millions of trees in Greater Manchester to combat climate change and some of those we plant in the future will have been ‘born in Bury’.

“This will also allow trees to be stored safely and our grounds and cleansing staff to continue to use the site as a depot as and when required. It will also raise the standard of the park, replacing damaged railings and clearing vegetation as well as carrying essential tree works. This is another positive move in our continuing fight against climate change and in line with our clean air strategy.”

Pete Stringer from City of Trees said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for City of Trees to create a new home for co-ordinating its tree-planting activities across Greater Manchester.

“Barnfield Park horticulture centre will present us with so many opportunities, including establishing a tree nursery which we hope will be the first of many across the conurbation. It has the potential to be a place of learning and demonstration, empowering individuals to obtain the skills needed for employment and communities looking to make a difference where they live and work. City of Trees would like to thank Bury Council for giving us this fantastic opportunity.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 March 2021.

Note to editors:

City of Trees is delivering a green recovery and tackling the climate emergency head on, through planting trees and restoring woodlands for the people and wildlife of Greater Manchester. Working with communities, organisations, and businesses to build an ambitious movement, dedicated to planting a tree for every citizen within just five years. Find out more at www.cityoftrees.org.uk