Who are The Friends
The Friends were formed in 2007 by a group of local residents who wanted to promote The Arno and Oxton Fields as valuable open spaces that could be enjoied by local people of all ages - now, and into the future.
The Friends areas of interest were set as being the formal park.
The Arno, The Arno Quarry, The Little Arno (on Mill Hill) and then both of the Open Fields through which Duck Pond Lane runs and which are generally enclosed by Storton Road, Holm Lane and Woodchurch Road - The Oxton Fields.
The Friends set their objectives as being:
- Working in partnership with WMBC’s Parks & Countryside Service, to improve the general condition of The Arno and Oxton Fields to the benefit of the local community.
- Working closely with Wirral Community Patrol and the local police to discourage anti-social behaviour and vandalism within The Arno and Oxton Fields.
- Promoting the whole area of The Arno and Oxton Fields for community use.
Since The Friends were formed, a number of improvements have been made to both the formal parkland areas and on the open fields.
Most notably was the awarding (in 2010) of Green Flag status to The Arno. This award recognised that The Arno had then met the highest national standards for a public park – and its status was renewed in 2011.
Green Flag status must be earned year on year, and in order to do that The Friends must continue to work towards the future improvement of The Arno.
But many other improvements have been achieved due to The Friends partnership with Parks & Countryside.
- A number of new benches have been provided on the Oxton Fields and in The Arno. Existing benches have been upgraded and repaired.
More litter bins have been provided across the whole area – and especially on the Oxton Fields.
- The Play Area on Duck Pond Lane has been improved with additional equipment (for older children).
- The BMX track has been repaired and upgraded.
- Responsible dog walking has been encouraged with ‘Clean it Up’ signage.
Tree & hedge planting has been carried out on the Oxton Fields.
But there is still lots to do ...
How can you help!!!
Firstly: By becoming a member of The Friends.
Your annual membership fee will be used to improve and maintain the high standards that The Friends have so far achieved.
The Rose Garden
But you can also help by volunteering!
Friends’ volunteers regularly carry out litter picking, the removal of light graffiti, weeding (light and heavy) and generally keeping an eye on standards within the parks and on the open fields.
Volunteering is fun – and it is a great way of making new friends – but it is always about doing just as much as you can, whenever you can!
Our Notice Boards in The Arno and on Duck Pond Lane regularly display information about forthcoming volunteer events.