Gartside Gardens
Huge investment has been made to improve the overall quality of Gartside Gardens, providing a high quality park for the local people of Brunswick and is the main green space in the heart of the neighbourhood.
In April 2014, work started on the multi-use games area (MUGA) in the park and has been a hit ever since with residents. There are tennis courts, basketball hoops, and options for five-a-side and other ball sports, along with an area to skate practice to name a few, and is well used throughout the year.
It is also utilised during the holidays by local youth group Manchester Young Community Champions, to carry out team sports and activities such as football, cricket, softball, badminton and much more. A new entrance, pathways, and flood lighting has also been installed to make play possible on darker days and evenings.
Two additional play areas for the younger children were also added to the park, along with plants trees, shrubs and a rockery. The park acts as a hub for community events such as the annual fun day and and for local people to come together to get active, children to play and generally just socialise with each other and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a beautiful place to take a picnic with friends and neighbours when the weather is kind.
In 2015, S4B commissioned local artist Karl, from Elegant Chainsaw Carvings, to produce a wonderful sculpture in his own unique style, making use of a reclaimed tree, turning it into a wonderful Bee sculpture, based on a design from one of the local school children. The Bee still stands proudly in the park and has recently been refurbished to add to its longevity. A Peace Tree was also planted in memory of those affected by the tragic events at Manchester Arena.