Residents have questioned whether Batley’s Wilton Park deserves its Green Flag status after describing the beauty spot as “unsafe” and “disgusting” following a string of vandalism and maintenance concerns.
The criticism comes just weeks after the park was awarded a Green Flag, recognising high standards in areas including safety, accessibility, environmental management and community engagement.
Local anger however intensified after a memorial bench was recently set on fire, with residents claiming the incident reflects a wider decline in the condition of the park.
Ralph Halgate, 76, who has lived in Batley since childhood, said Wilton Park had changed dramatically over the years. He recalled a time when the park featured a boating lake, café and well-maintained gardens, but believes it has now become neglected. “The boating lake used to be lovely, but now it’s just full of empty bottles. You see rats crawling everywhere,” he said.
“If you go up to the tennis courts, there’s a bench that was burnt to pieces only last week. It’s disgusting, and it’s unsafe. There is no pride.”
Fellow resident Martin Woods, 70, regularly visits what locals refer to as the park’s “pensioners corner” and shares concerns about the condition of the site. Former gardener Peter Fawcett, 77, argued the Green Flag award did not reflect the reality experienced by regular visitors. He claimed the accolade risked being used as evidence that the park was being properly maintained despite what he described as a continuing decline.
“Recent evidence shows a scene of constant declining standards within our parks,” he said.
“Parks matter, and looking through rose-tinted spectacles does nothing to improve them.”
Mr Fawcett added that the condition of Wilton Park suggested less money was being spent on maintaining public green spaces.
Kirklees Council said debris from the burnt memorial bench had been removed and condemned the vandalism.
Executive Director for Place David Shepherd said: “We have huge pride in our parks in Kirklees and it is disappointing to see such reckless behaviour.
“This bench was a place for reflection and for families to remember their loved ones. Our thoughts go out to those for whom
this bench was special.”
Addressing wider concerns about maintenance, Mr Shepherd said recent warm weather had affected grass-cutting schedules and that work on herbaceous borders would continue.
He added that while reduced budgets meant fewer bedding plants had been installed this year, existing displays would continue to be maintained to a high standard.
Kirklees Council has also been approached for further comment.
