Wokingham

Green fingered residents had grand designs on Montague Park in Shinfield last week, and joined contractors and community wardens from Wokingham District Council to plant 225 shrubs there.

As part of its work to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve community spirit in the estate, Wokingham council consulted with all residents of Montague Park in Shinfield on how they would like to improve the green area which they felt was encouraging bad behaviour from some of the area’s young people. With help from community wardens, residents chose from three different landscaping options, each designed to discourage anti-social behaviour and improve the look of the estate.

When the favoured design was chosen, Wokingham council’s contractors Quadron began replacing trees and planting four triangular beds of shrubs around the central green and play area. And last Thursday (February 15) some ten local residents joined council chairman Cllr Angus Ross and council community wardens to help plant the final bed of shrubs.

“Steve Smith from the grounds maintenance and horticulture team arranged for two staff from Quadron to run the project, and provide plenty of tools for us all,” said community warden Zarron Phillips. “We planted mixed shrubs of five different varieties and we were delighted that so many local people came along to help – it looks great now.”

Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “It was especially nice to see that seven of the volunteers were young people who gave some of their half-term holiday time to come and join in. It shows that anti-social behaviour in the area is caused by a small minority and that many of the area’s young people take pride in their local area. Well done to everyone who helped with the planting.”

Zarron Phillips added: “This work has been funded by Wokingham District Council, but there is also £200 donated by Shinfield Parish Council still available. We hope to use it to hold a competition for young people in the area to design a sign discouraging anti-social behaviour.”

Wokingham District Council