Visitors to Alderman Kneeshaw Park (AKP) can now enjoy its new centrepiece featuring carved totem poles, as well as a colourful new mural.
The green space on Valiant Drive in east Hull has been the recipient of £85,000 worth of Levelling Up Funding’s (LUF) Parks Fund and the latest addition a part of the most recent phase of the project.
These grants have funded several improvements to AKP with the aim of increasing its biodiversity by creating meadows and flowerbeds, as well as planting 80 large trees.
A natural seating area has also been shaped and now a vibrant mural featuring penguins and polar bears has been produced, as well as totem poles crafted by chainsaw artist Mike Burgess.
AKP’s extensive makeover has been led and managed by Hull City Council in collaboration with the Friends of AKP to create a place for residents and visitors to enjoy.
It also ties in with the council’s ethos on increasing biodiversity and improving health through access to greenspaces, whilst also investing in neighbourhoods.
Cllr Julia Conner, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “The amazing craftsmanship displayed on the totem poles is a brilliant centrepiece for Alderman Kneeshaw Park.
“The striking mural really brightens up that area and adds to the fantastic collection of murals we already have in Hull.
“LUF Parks Fund has already helped to create a wonderful greenspace at AKP and we can’t be thankful enough for its support.
“AKP really is a place that the people of Hull can be proud of.”
Chainsaw artist Mike has created a large centrepiece totem pole featuring a hand carved butterfly, as well as several smaller totems displaying a variety of woodland creatures and a football sculpture, chosen by the Barham AFC Football Club.
He said: “It’s always an honour to be asked to create something so personal to the community and it’s been fantastic to be involved in creating the sculptures for Alderman Kneeshaw Park.
“The Friends engaged with local groups and teams to understand what happens in the park and what the park means to the community and this has shaped the designs for the carvings.
“I’ve really enjoyed making them and I hope all the carvings, once installed, will be enjoyed for years to come.”
The artist who produced the mural, Maniuko, did so with input from the community, Friends of AKP and Cllr Conner, ward councillor.
He said: “I am very grateful and thankful for be able to play a part in this project.
“I also want to thank all youngsters for their ideas and all involved for their patience and support.
“We came up with a great design and I added a bit of freestyling, as I always like to do, adjusting whilst painting to suit the surface best.
“The great feedback from local youngsters, adults, all involved and on social media is very rewarding.
“I am happy with the outcome and looking forward to painting more murals!”
Debbie Morrell, chair of the Friends of AKP, added: “The mural and totem poles are fantastic designs and really add to what is now an inviting space at Alderman Kneeshaw Park.
“We have no doubt that this will help bring visitors to the park and would like to thank Hull City Council for its support with this project.”
More images, including the stages of the totem pole creation, are available here.
