Mural unveiled to brighten up park in Harehills

Painted by acclaimed street artist HazardOne, it is part of a project aiming to make public spaces in the region safer and more welcoming for women and girls, which will also see the park benefit from several other improvements.

Local girls of varying ages, from primary school to teenagers, have worked with Leeds charity Getaway Girls to come up with ideas for the mural and for how the park could be made better.

Work has already begun and will continue over the coming months, including updating the lighting and opening up sightlines at the Roundhay Road end of the park by replacing bigger shrubs with spring and summer flowers. New signage will also be added to welcome visitors to the park.

The multi-use games area will also be refurbished with new markings and a second entrance, and a social seating area will be added to the park.

Wrapping all the way around the outside of the wall surrounding the multi-use games area, the new mural is set to be finished Friday 17 January.

Councillor Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “This is an exciting scheme to improve one of our busiest community parks and make it more welcoming for everyone, especially local women and girls.

“The new flowers will give a burst of colour through spring and summer and the mural will do the same all year round. Improving the entrance will make the park look more welcoming from the main road and the upgrade of the lighting should ensure the busy walking route from one side of the park to the other can be used year-round.

“The park will look smarter with new seating and updates to the multi-use games area, which will support a range of sports including basketball, football and now also netball.

“I would like to thank the girls in the area for their contribution to this excellent project which will result in lasting improvements to the park.”

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “Everyone in Leeds should feel welcome and safe in our parks, and it’s great to see this project taking the steps to make that a reality in Banstead Park. The design of the mural and the improvements all come from ideas from women and girls in the local community and they’ve been brilliant in bringing the park to life.”

Street artist HazardOne said: “It's been great working with Getaway Girls and the Women and Girls Alliance Leeds for this Leeds City Council project in Banstead Park. Street art is such an impactful way of transforming and brightening up spaces and it's been such a fun project to work alongside people from the Harehills community.

“The design is based on what the young women and girls from the community wanted to see in their public spaces. As a Yorkshire lass it's always so rewarding to be part of projects at home that make community spaces more welcoming, inviting and colourful!"

The project is being delivered by Leeds City Council and the Women and Girls Alliance Leeds. It is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is administered locally by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

ENDS