Project blooms into life as new Corby community space officially opens
Environment17 September 2024
A new community, outdoor hub in Corby has been officially opened by North Northamptonshire Council.
Following on from the success of the Corby Woodland Project, Corby Growing Project has developed a new outdoor green space within Coronation Park where residents can come together socially or with groups.
Corby Woodland Project has been caring for Corby’s woodland areas for around two decades and whilst the majority of the dedicated team of volunteers seek outdoor and social activity, not all are able to engage with coppicing and the more physical activities within the woodlands.
Following interest from volunteers wishing to grow plants and support more local causes, the Corby Growing Project was born with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project is based at Coronation Park Pavilion and in 2022 the team at North Northamptonshire Council began to plan how they could use the space to meet the needs of residents, whilst remaining core to the Green Woodland Project values and wider council plans.
The team were initially focussed on community growing and the site has now developed following enquiries to host yoga, wellbeing sessions and youth groups, all in a dedicated outdoor space.
The site was opened last week by Chair of North Northamptonshire Council Lora Lawman. Also in attendence was Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Lee Barron, North Northamptonshire Council CEO Adele Wylie, Cllr Gill Mercer, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing at North Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Graham Lawman and Cllr Harriet Pentland, Executive Member at North Northamptonshire Council for Climate and Green Environment.
Parks and open spaces are much loved and well used by residents across North Northamptonshire, with community groups also using facilities for a wide range of activities. This is certainly the case with the Corby Growing Project which has been developed with the needs of the community at its core and it is fantastic to see this part of Coronation Park bursting back into life and benefitting those who use the facilities regularly.Cllr Harriet Pentland, the Council’s Executive Member for Climate and Green Environment
It is well known that being outdoors can be extremely beneficial for your health and wellbeing and that is why projects like this are so important. But its also about the social aspect - residents coming together to volunteer or to take part in an activity. This really is a great asset and I would encourage residents from Corby and further afield to get involved.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
The project team at North Northamptonshire Council, alongside North Northamtonshire Council’s Public Health team, would like to thank National Lottery Heritage Fund, The David Cock Foundation and ReGen for generous donations that have helped contribute to the success of various projects across the site.