A WORTH Valley politician has heaped praise on parks Friends groups across her Ward.

Cllr Rebecca Poulsen said the hard work of residents in Haworth, Cross Roads and Oakworth was enabling local amenities to remain up to scratch.

She said the involvement of the volunteers had been essential in attracting many thousands of pounds of grants for playground improvements.

And she was pleased some of the groups were taking on responsibility for services previously provided in the parks by Bradford Council.

Cllr Poulsen spoke after Keighley Area Committee discussed a report on the council’s Parks and Green Spaces department and the ongoing effects of council budget cuts.

The report stated that across the district parish councils and Friends groups were showing an interest in taking on the running of a wide range of council services.

The Friends of Central Park in Haworth are deep in negotiations to take on the maintenance of flowerbeds, while the Friends of Cross Roads Park now run the village’s public toilets.

Cllr Poulsen, who serves on Bradford Council, said groups across the Worth Valley ward were working closely with council parks officers.

She said they ranged from the officially-constituted Friends groups in Cross Roads, Haworth and Oakworth’s parks, to parents looking at the tiny Mytholmes playground.

Cllr Poulsen said: “The Friends groups across the Worth Valley do an incredible job. The volunteers give up lots of their time.

“It’s only with the Friends groups which with the council that the parks are in the state they are. They have spearheaded improvement projects.

“Some of the Friends groups have been long established, and as local people have seen less services being maintained in their parks, more have come forward to help. I think these groups have come a long way over the last two or three years.”

Cllr Poulsen said Friends groups had spearheaded applications for money from grants bodies to improve play, sports and entertainment facilities in Oakworth, Haworth and Cross Roads parks.

She said council staff supported the community involvement, attending Friends meetings and working closely with them on projects.

She added: “It’s about the council forging relationships with the local people who are passionate about parks and how they are maintained.

It’s a was about getting new blood involved. I think most of the groups would welcome more young people to come along and share their ideas and energy.”