Vision for new community green space in Oldham unveiled

The proposals for the Pitt Street Park

A vision for new community green space in one of the areas of densest terraced housing in Oldham has been unveiled.

The Ghazali Trust, a charitable organisation within the borough, wants the help of residents to transform a grassy strip with several trees along Pitt Street in Glodwick into a new park.

The charity says they are aiming to create a ‘productive safe space’ for families and children to play and grow fruit and vegetables as well as a calm area for older people to sit and relax.

Named ‘Pitt Street Park’, it would include outdoor seating, a ‘reflective’ garden, reading spaces, an outdoor oven or barbecue spot, raised planters, edible vegetables and fruit bearing trees.

The project is being funded by Groundwork Greater Manchester, a not for profit organisation which works to create greener spaces in communities across the region.

Amjid Mahmood, who is leading on the project for the Ghazali Trust, said: “Really there is a lack of green space within the area.

“The last thing the residents want is to have it tarmacked, they want a space where they can sit and take their children. 

“Glodwick is probably one of the densest areas in Oldham so it’s vital that we retain as much green space as possible. 

“During Covid, outdoor spaces of this nature have become even more important. 

“It’s really important for people who may feel isolated and lonely to have greenery and seating around.”

Amjid added that they are aiming to transform the space over the next 12 month period, and are consulting residents on what they would like to see included.

“This plan has been in the pipeline for about two and a half years and in that time we have been looking at different potential funding pots,” he said.

“I think for the space to work and for the community to really take ownership of the space and make it usable it has to be community led.”

They are asking residents on the streets connected to Pitt Street to get in touch to help transform the green space, especially those on Pitt Street, Chief Street, Hardy Street, Morris Street, Latimer Street, Jarvis Street and Ridley Street.

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