The Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust have been working in Witton Park, Blackburn for a number of years as part of their successful green wellbeing project, Myplace, which has been supporting people to grow their own food, learn more about the natural world and enjoy the outdoors.
Much of this work has taken place from the Myerscough College Blackburn Campus and whilst we have been able to put most of the site and surrounding areas to great use, the park’s old greenhouses have always struck us as a missed opportunity to do even more for the local community.
Andy Mather, Myplace Project Officer said: “The greenhouses are an amazing untapped resource that any city would love and have the potential to become an amazing community space for lots of exciting things to happen.”
Myplace is now working with Blackburn and Darwen Council and Sport England to breathe new life into the greenhouses. Our vision is for the greenhouses to be transformed into a growing, learning and wellbeing hub for members of the local community to enjoy.
Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health Dominic Harrison said: “It’s great to see a project encouraging people to get active outdoors in our wonderful green spaces. Being physically active and close to nature has positive effects on both our physical and mental health.”