Past Projects

Keeping our park beautiful for everyone

Created with Sketch.

£55,000 Sky Climber installed in the Upper Playground


Following the highly successful fundraising for the complete revamp of the Lakeside Playground for younger children, the Little Friends of Roundhay park fundraising group switched their efforts to the Upper Playground on Soldiers Field. As it was often very crowded they decided to rais funds for a new large piece of play equipment. With contributions from Leeds City Council, Councillor Jacob Goddart, the Coop nad Veoilla they raised £50,000 to purchase and install the Sky Climber. Standing almost 5 metres high this innovative network of ropes and frames provides challenging and physical play applications for a large number of children at the same time.

Refurbishment of the Canal Gardens Shelter

Built into the walls surrounding Canal Gardens the shelter has been a feature of the area since Thomas Nicholson built the Mansion and the surrounding outbuildings. Last refurbished many years ago the shelter was looking very run down. Funded by the Friends a complete refurbishment of the roof, inside seating and the front panels and mouldings was completed in March this year.

Playground Appeal

The playground by the Lakeside car park was originally designed for children of all ages. Following the opening of the new playground on Soldiers Field, this playground became largely used by under 5’s. Not only was much of the equipment unsuitable, it was worn and neglected. In early 2018 FoRP started fundraising with a target of £100,000 to fund a complete renewal.

MARY’S TREE

With funding from FoRP and a generous bequest from Mary Hill, a Roundhay resident and lover of the Park, we were able to obtain the services of local artist Shane Green who used a chain saw to transform a dead tree into a 3D catalogue of creatures from Tropical World

TREE TRAIL APP

This free mobile phone App produced in 2018 replaces a booklet describing the many unusual trees in the area between the Roundhay Fox and the Mansion which was originally planted as an arboretum.

DUCK FOOD

Following concerns raised by the White Rose Canoe Club about the amount of rotting bread in the lake near the boathouse, FoRP produced the poster shown alongside However, we also provided an alternative food for the ducks and swans. For a small donation bags of proper duck food can be obtained from the rack in the entrance to the Lakeside Cafe. The rack is regularly re-stocked by FoRP volunteers.

FLORAL WALK
LEAFLET

One of the outstanding features of Roundhay Park in spring and summer are the magnificent floral displays, especially in the area to the east of Princes Avenue and around Canal Gardens. Two members of FoRP provided the photographs and text. FoRP then paid for the design and printing of this leaflet.
Copies are available free of charge from Tropical World reception.

LIGHTS IN TREES

The area between the Roundhay Fox and the Princes Avenue car park was very gloomy and poorly lit at night so FoRP paid for the installation of the lights in the trees along the edge of the Park and continue to pay for their maintenance.

HISTORY TRAIL LEAFLET

Partially funded by Dine at the Mansion, this leaflet introduces the visitor to many of the interesting features of the Park as it was transformed from a wealthy owner’s country estate to the public park we know today. The leaflet won the Leeds Civic Trust Snaith Award for projects Increasing the understanding of the Built or Natural environment. Copies are available free of charge from Tropical World reception.

GEOLOGY TRAIL BOOKLET

The geology of Roundhay Park is very interesting, being located on the edge of the Yorkshire coalfield. The booklet is a guide around the most notable geological features of the geological history of the Park. It was produced By Bob Reid and Bill Frazer. Bill leads walks two or three times a year, giving a fuller explanation of the features mentioned.

OTHER PROJECTS

FoRP has also been involved in and consulted on other major projects undertaken by the Parks and Countryside Department such as the design and siteing of the Princes Avenue playground, the refurbishment of the tennis courts and the improvements to Tropical World.