Plans in Progress – Up and Coming Projects

The Parkives

Local people have been simply fantastic in contributing to an ever-evolving exhibition consisting of memories, recollections and archives of the park. We will make sure all documentation produced by the project is either part of the exhibition or stored carefully in the Lakeside Centre.

The first stage of the exhibition is currently in the Lakeside Centre, and we are currently collecting more information from the Chapel and the Photographic Society as well as creating a beautiful, artistic exhibition stand.

The public can have access to the information by either contacting a member of the Friends Group, or requesting access to the documentation via the parks manager, Dave McCracken. (0161 224 2902).

The exhibition will be permanently on display in the Lakeside Centre, open 8am-4pm daily except Sundays, and will also be portable to take to other events and celebrations.

Community Facilities

We are looking into collaborating on new community facilities and community owned toilets for the park.

The Band Played On

We are currently undertaking the reinstatement of an old pagoda style bandstand (which used to stand in hanging Ditch in town, but was damaged in the bomb) to reintroduce band nights and dances in the park.

As the roof is damaged we want to create a growing living grass roof through an open training workshop. Please contact Ailsa Holmes in September for more details (0161 273 5367).

We hope that the bandstand will be up by late September/early October.

Digging the Ditch

We aim to undertake a study and community archaeological dig on Nico ditch-

"Part of the Very Ancient Mickle or Great Ditch sometimes called Nico Ditch Well-known A.D.1200. Extending over Five Miles from here to Ashton Moss and Bounding Several Townships Described fully in Vol. xxiii. of Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society".

The above quote has been lifted from the inscribed stone placard situated beside Nico ditch, which runs through the park. The ditch is said to have formed a defensive line against Danish or Viking raiders attacking up the Mersey. The story is that it was dug in the space of one night - quite a feat-as it measures at five miles, 183 yards. (link to history section)

This is a partnership project between Manchester City Council and Manchester High School for Girls, Powwow Eco Arts, Manchester University and the Photographic Society, Platt Chapel.

Ongoing Lake Maintenance

We are continually trying to clear up the Lake, helping to install the pump - which has vastly improved the condition of the lake,) although we know that there is still a lot of work to be done here). We are trying to organise community clean up events.

Planting Workshops

We are aiming to programme a series of community planting workshops to enhance local biodiversity through shrubs, hedgerows, wildflower meadows and wildlife habitats.

Heritage Walks

We are aiming to programme a series of local heritage walks exploring the archaeological and architectural features/areas of interest.

More Bins!

We are pushing towards obtaining more litter bins and dog bins for the park.

Community Events

We are aiming to programme a series of small community based events i.e. poetry evenings to picnics.

The Bard's Plants

We are aiming to do community arts and research project around the Shakespearean garden. To identify and mark the shrubs/flowers actually mentioned in the bards great works.