Graves Park Faces Budget Cuts

The entrance to Graves Park

Graves Park in Woodseats, Sheffield faces budget cuts as the Government tries to cut down on spending.

Graves Park is Sheffield's largest park and the cuts are bound to have a serious impact on its facilities and maintenance. The Council have produced a report which acknowledges that Sheffield's residents are currently more satisfied with their parks then the residents of any other major town or city. 

The proposed cuts will include:

Reducing management costs and maintenance budgets for parks and playgrounds.

Charging for car parking at Graves Park.

Increasing the charges for the hire of facilities in the park.

Reducing the money provided to voluntary organisations to help improve the city's greens and open spaces.

Reducing the number of rangers and community foresters, which will lead to a reduction in community activities such as: tree planting, youth engagement, supporting volunteers and events and activities in the park.

There will also be cuts to Activity Sheffield who run activities in the park.

The Aiming High for Disabled Children programme that has paid for the new accessible playground will also end.

These cuts will not just affect Graves Park; they will affect parks across Sheffield.

Woodseats resident and frequent visitor to Graves Park, Alan Cox said: "I think the cuts are disgusting.  We love the park as it is and we don’t want it to change."

The Council have stated that they will continue to work with 'Friends of' groups to see what they will be able to do with the resources available.  By focusing on the basics and working with Sheffield people, they hope to achieve a lot.