A Brief History of Springfield Mill Park

The park was established in 1998 as part of a planning agreement following a major housing development on the site of the former Springfield Mill. A legal agreement was established at that time, between McLean Homes Northern limited and Leeds city council, which laid down the long-term arrangements for the maintenance and up keep of the park. On completion of the housing development, McLean Homes transferred ownership of the park, and a commuted sum of money, to the Greenbelt Group, a land maintenance company, based in Glasgow. With this legal transfer, the Greenbelt Group took over all legal obligations previously held by McLean Homes Ltd.

During the first 6 or 7 years there were lots of concerns raised by local residents about the level of maintenance of the park. Alongside the worsening appearance of the park, over a period of a number of years, the level of antisocial behaviour and vandalism also increased significantly which made matters even worse.

Finally, in June 2005, after much discussion during the previous 6 months, a major site meeting was arranged. The meeting was attended by some local residents, the Greenbelt Group, councillors, police officers, the council’s tree officer, dog wardens, anti-social behaviour unit and the council’s legal and planning department officers.

This was the start of a period of much greater cooperation between various agencies, the Greenbelt Group and local residents and laid the foundation for the possibility of the formation of a friends group for the park. There is a healthy and productive dialogue between the Greenbelt Group and local residents and Councillors at this current time.

Friends of Springfield Mill Park was set up in April 2006. A letter prepared by some local residents and ward Councillors was distributed to 800 homes in the area, asking if anyone would be interested in organising a friends group. Responses were received from about 20 residents and on 10^th April 2006 14 people attended the first meeting where it was unanimously agreed to establish a friends group. A constitution was agreed and the group set about the task of encouraging wider participation and providing enhanced facilities on the park.