Respect Project wins national award

The park is one of just eleven inspirational parks and green spaces in the UK to achieve the award, which is presented to Green Flag Award or Community Award winning sites that show that they have made changes which have brought outstanding benefits to both their site and the local community.

The Respect Project was launched in the summer of 2009. The Council commissioned a professional spray artist who worked with young people and local residents to design a piece of artwork to celebrate the parks centenary. Young people then helped to mirror the design on the wall of Chase Leisure Centre using spray paints.

The mural represents many elements from the park's past, including a pit wheel to reflect the huge role played by local miners in creating a municipal park, fruit and vegetables to signify the importance of the Horticultural Society's role in the park's development, the gates that were installed in 1932 when it became a municipal park and circus characters - circuses were regularly staged over the parks history.

Other elements of design reflect the use of the park today, including a skateboarder, play equipment and a Green Flag which the park has achieved since 2009.

The project aims to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour and address the negative perceptions of young people.

It was led by the Council's Community Wellbeing Arts and Communications and Parks and Open Spaces teams in partnership with the Friends of Cannock Park, the Chase Valley Community Learning Partnership and Staffordshire County Council. It was also supported by Cannock Neighbourhood Policing Unit.

Councillor Janos Toth, Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the Environment, said:

"This project has been a phenomenal success and I am extremely pleased that it has been recognised for a national award, reflecting the huge effort, creativity and talents of our local youngsters.

Often, all young people are tarred with the same brush. People seem to think that all youngsters are involved in anti-social behaviour. However, the reality is that only a tiny minority actually are. This project has shown that the vast majority of young people do contribute positively to their community.

The mural itself has brightened up a corner of our park, providing a vibrant talking point. It has been preserved throughout the modernisation of Chase Leisure Centre".

Christine Salmon, Chair of Friends of Cannock Park, said,

"Friends of Cannock Park were pleased to work in partnership with Cannock Chase Council to acquire funding for the Respect Project. Our research into the history of the parkland provided a popular theme for the artwork on the leisure centre wall. All sections of the community participated in the various activities involved in the project, thus developing a greater understanding of the park and the various groups who use it."

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:

"Congratulations to everyone involved in the Respect Project at Cannock Park, a worthy winner of the Special Innovation Award.

"Research has proved that quality parks and green spaces play a vital role within their local communities. Cannock Park is a perfect example of how our green spaces can positively contribute to the local environment and bring the community together".

Other elements of the Respect Project have included an open air theatre performance - Park Strife which was delivered back in 2010 and an educational resource - the Respect Toolkit which is being piloted in Easter 2012.

The Respect Toolkit aims to inform young people about the consequences of at-risk behaviour and will focus on their personal safety, health and well-being. This will cover drugs and substance misuse, sexual health, alcohol and heathland fires.

The toolkit will be delivered in partnership with the Cannock Chase Council, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Staffordshire County Council's Targeted Youth Support Team.

If you would like more information about the Respect Project contact Kate McBey, PR & Marketing Officer on 01543 464270 or Lisa Shephard, Community Wellbeing (Arts) Officer on 01543 464214.