Friends of Knighton Park are a voluntary group with a dedicated interest in Knighton Park and work with the City Council to promote the park and raise awareness of its attractions amongst Leicester residents and visitors alike.
The Group began in 1994 as the Knighton Park, Park’s Watch and were primarily concerned with addressing issues such as dog fouling and vandalism.
The group grew in strength and in 1997, the Group became Friends of Knighton Park (FoKP). They now hold regular meetings and make a valuable contribution to the development of the park bringing to the attention of the Council various issues concerned with the up-keep and well-being of the park.
In October 1999, the group were awarded a grant for £2050 from the Heritage Lottery, Awards for All fund. The grant was used for the creation of a small memorial garden, the production of leaflets and a quarterly newsletter and the purchase of a portable information point and banner. A gazebo was also purchased. The equipment is used during the summer months to promote the park and the activities of the group at all manner of events.
More recently in 2006, they raised a massive £65,000 towards the installation of a play area on the park with funding from the Big Lottery Fund and Sports and Arts Council. This was officially opened over the summer with a giant picnic in the park. The play area is aimed at older children and teenagers, with a range of challenging play equipment, including one of the largest space masts in Leicester.
The play area is well used and has provided a great facility for local children and park visitors from far and wide.
If you would be interested in joining the Friends of Knighton Park, or want to know more about the group, then please contact Gary McMillan on 0116 229 3638, or email gary.mcmillan@leicester.gov.uk.
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