Better Place Bradford Branching Out
19 March 2025
Better Start Bradford’s Better Place Bradford has been supporting biodiversity and developing green spaces by planting trees across three outdoor green spaces thanks to the Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund.
They successfully secured £656 to plant 15 trees at the toddler natural play areas at Bowling Park and Horton Park and at the Mayfield Centre Pocket Park.
To help with the tree planting, Better Place Urban Ranger Kristian Eastwood teamed up with the children of Bankfoot Primary School and Horton Primary School, as well as local families that attend Better Place 0-3 outdoor play sessions.
In total, 56 children and 20 adults attended the four sessions, digging up dirt and welcoming worms as they planted the trees, including field maple, hazel, hornbeam, rowan and silver birch.
Kristian Eastwood, Better Place Urban Ranger said:
It was great to get local schools and residents involved in the tree planting. You could tell they were really invested in it. There’s something about seeing a tree that you’ve planted take its place in your own local park. It gives you a connection and sense of ownership and allows the children to take pride in outdoor community spaces from the very start.
The funding from Branching Out has already had a positive effect on the volunteers involved, but the long-term benefits are going to enjoyed by all for years to come.
The Tree Council Grants Officer, Geraldine Creaven said:
Branching Out presents a fantastic opportunity for schools and community groups large and small to get their spades in the ground and start establishing life enhancing and biodiversity boosting trees, hedgerows, and orchards in their neighbourhoods. We are so thrilled for all our successful applicants, especially Better Place!
The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund provides grants ranging from £250 to £2,500 in value to community groups, schools, small, registered charities, and Tree Warden Networks seeking to establish trees, hedgerows, and orchards throughout the winter planting season.
Better Place work their environmental magic across the Better Start Bradford area of Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton and have invested over £2million so far to improve the environment and outdoor play spaces for families with 0-3s since 2016.
To find out more about Better Place Bradford visit www.betterplacebradford.org.uk
About Better Place
Better Place is identifying and overseeing improvements to local parks and outdoor spaces with the aim of providing a healthier and happier environment for expectant parents, babies, young children and families. The project is also finding ways to reduce exposure to harmful traffic fumes for pregnant women and small children.
The Better Place project is a Better Start Bradford project that is being delivered in collaboration with Bradford Council, Bradford Trident, Groundwork UK, Public Health, voluntary and community sector groups and local people.
Check out our events and activities page to find out what the Better Place Activities team are doing in Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton.
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The Better Place project has transformed parks and greenspaces across the Better Start Bradford area for you to explore with your little ones. Where will your next adventure be?
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