Love Where You Live turns Gawber green space into a safer place

Residents in Gawber can now enjoy a safer green space after Harry Road Recreation Ground saw new gates and barriers installed through Barnsley Council’s Love Where You Live programme.

The access controls were put in place to protect the football pitch used by AFC Pogmoor from damage by off-road motorbikes and improve safety for other users of the Rec.

It followed residents’ complaints to Darton West councillors about anti-social motorbike use and ongoing damage to the field.

Barnsley Council’s Parks Services Team worked with our Barnsley Council North Area Team and the ward councillors to bring forward safety improvements as one of the Love Where You Live community enhancement projects being completed in every Barnsley ward.

Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “This project has shown exactly what Love Where You Live is all about.

“Listening to local concerns and working together to protect the spaces that matter most.
“By tackling issues like damage and antisocial behaviour, we’ve helped people feel safer, supported grassroots sport and created a green space everyone can enjoy.
“Huge thanks to everyone who has helped make it happen.”

At Harry Road Recreation Ground, the latest improvements include a new gate at Walton Street North car park and secure barriers at the Harry Road and Stanbury Close entrances.

Love Where You Live is focused on creating cleaner, greener and safer neighbourhoods and supporting community-led projects that make a real difference.

From tackling antisocial behaviour and environmental damage to improving parks and green spaces, the programme is continuing to help residents take pride in where they live. It also ensures that local people have a say in shaping the places that matter most to them.

Projects like this are part of the wider Love Where You Live programme, which also includes Unity and Inclusion Grants, support for community events and activities, and the work of the Housing and Environment Neighbourhood Task Force to keep neighbourhoods clean, safe and well maintained.

Everyone can play their part, whether by reporting issues, joining community cleanups, getting involved in local projects or sharing ideas. Every action helps show pride in where we live.

To find out more about Love Where You Live and how you can get involved, visit www.barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive.