Work Begins To Create ‘Friendship Park’ In Market Harborough

Work is underway to create a new ‘friendship park’ in a previously overgrown area in Market Harborough town centre which was a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

Harborough District Council is spending £30,000 on the project adjacent to the Market Hall car park on Northampton Road, which aims to get people talking.

Cllr Peter Elliott (Chairman of the council), Cllr Darren Woodiwiss and Cllr Peter James with volunteers at the Northampton Road Friendship Park

Landscaping work is being carried out ahead of walkways being put down and benches installed, alongside the planting of shrubs, fruit trees and wildflowers.

The council has worked with a group of residents who overlook the park in planning the project and they will assist with bulb planting and ongoing maintenance in the community space.

Once complete, signage will be erected displaying the name ‘Northampton Road Friendship Park’ and encouraging people to engage in conversation.

Cllr Darren Woodiwiss, cabinet member for Environmental and Climate Change. told HFM he is looking forward to the park being opened:

Cllr Peter Elliott (Chairman of the council), Cllr Darren Woodiwiss get work underway to create the new park