Happy Anniversary! 🎉
Just over a year ago, on September 28th, 2023, we launched this petition to rally support for Wish Park and highlight the challenges it was facing. From children missing out on football to the cricket square fading away, we knew something needed to be done. And thanks to YOU—our amazing 1,767 petition signers—we made sure our voices were heard when it was presented at the full council meeting last December!
It’s been quite the journey, with ups and downs, but we’ve kept going, working closely with councillors, council officers, and the whole community to keep the pressure on. And while change may be slower than we'd hoped, there are plenty of positive developments to celebrate!
Here are some highlights of how far we've come:
⚽ Football Returns in Full Force: Last year, we lost a pitch for an entire football season, with games canceled or relocated. But this season is looking brighter! The football pitch layout has been reconfigured, new sockets installed, and now, every Sunday, it’s football as far as the eye can see!
🏏 Cricket Square Saved: The council had initially decided to stop maintaining the cricket square and therefore cricket being played at the park, but thanks to our collective effort—and with our councillor’s support—that decision was reversed. While the playing surface still needs a lot of work to ensure safety and the area needs to be roped off to protect the surface its going the right direction. We are also exploring the possibility of installing an Astro surface in partnership with Sussex Cricket and the ECB, which will keep cricket alive in the park with lower maintenance costs.
🌿 Park Keeper Campaign: We’ve heard your concerns about the loss of our part-time park keeper. While the council hasn’t reinstated the role, we’ve made our case loud and clear. In the meantime, volunteers from the Friends of Wish Park, UK Power Networks, and Brighton College have been amazing, stepping in to help with gardening efforts. We’ll keep pushing for more support—because every bit of help counts!
🚫 Park Security Improved: This summer, new, sturdy bollards were installed at the park entrance, and we’ve managed to avoid unauthorized vehicles entering the space—a huge win for safety!
💪 Outdoor Gym Coming Soon: Thank you to everyone who joined the outdoor gym consultation event! This exciting new facility will be a real game-changer for the community’s health and well-being. While the installation date has been delayed, we're looking forward to having it up and running before the year ends. Plus, drainage works have already been completed, meaning no more flooding issues!
🍽️ Café and Facilities Upgrade Talks: Local groups (Friends of Wish Park, PCC, PCFC, and WP Café) have been in productive discussions with the council about improving accessibility and capacity for the café, changing rooms, and toilets. This shows how much we can achieve when we all work together to make our park even better!
The past year has been a learning experience for everyone, but we’re starting to see a real shift. The council is more in tune with our community’s needs, and while progress may be slower than we’d like, we’re definitely heading in the right direction. With continued collaboration and open communication, we’re confident that Wish Park will keep growing as a space for everyone to enjoy.
🌱 Get Involved!
The park thrives because of people like you! Whether it’s joining the gardening group or lending a hand with events, every little bit helps keep Wish Park the special place it is. Our next Groundforce afternoon is coming up on October 12th at 2:30 pm in collaboration with PCFC—why not come along and get involved?
Thank you again for your continued support. Together, we’re making Wish Park the heart of our community! 🌟