Nestled amidst the bustling streets of Harehills lies a tranquil oasis: Banstead Park. This beloved green space may be one of the youngest parks in Leeds, but it has quickly become a haven for residents, offering a place to relax, connect with nature, and enjoy recreational activities.
The park slopes downwards towards the city centre, (or upwards towards Harehills if you prefer), and features:
- Two playgrounds
- All weather cricket wicket
- Outdoor basket/netball court, with seated area
- Entertainment area
- Open grass areas
- Grassy slopes
- Grassy hill
- More grass, but also trees!
- Two playgrounds
- An all-weather cricket wicket
- An outdoor basketball/netball court with a seated area
- An entertainment area
- Open grass areas
- Grassy slopes
- A grassy hill
- Trees!
Banstead Park holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I spent countless hours during lockdown, finding solace in its peaceful surroundings and connecting with family and friends in nature’s embrace. From leisurely walks to shared picnics, Banstead Park provided a much-needed escape during a challenging time.
This park is more than just a green space; it’s a community hub, a place where people come together to enjoy sports, socialize, and connect with nature. Several Harehills Winter Welcomes have taken place here, and it plays host to our Christmas tree:
This year, in May it played host to the Harehills CommUnity Matters Day, where the denizens of Harehills could find advice, support and information stalls for Harehills residents, as well as family fun, entertainment, DJ, a bouncy castle and more!
Banstead Park is also a small haven for wildlife, with a variety of birds, insects, and small mammals making their home among the trees and shrubs. Oh and lots and lots of pigeons. It’s a reminder of the importance of preserving green spaces within urban environments, providing a vital connection to nature for both people and wildlife.
While Harehills boasts several close well-established parks like Harehills Park (technically in Burmantofts, but forever linked to Harehills in name and spirit), Potternewton Park (across Roundhay Road in Chapeltown), and Roundhay Park (in Roundhay), Banstead Park stands out as a relative newcomer. Created in the early 1980s on land once occupied by densely packed terraced housing, that had fallen into disrepair, and generally not a very nice place to live, it represents a commitment to providing green spaces in developing urban areas. The transformation from slum housing to a vibrant park is a testament to the community’s resilience and its dedication to creating a better environment for all.
As I reflect on my journey with Harehills Love, it’s fitting to revisit Banstead Park, the subject of my very first blog post back in 2020. Since then, my appreciation for this green oasis has only grown. It’s a reminder of the resilience of our community, the beauty that can be found in unexpected places, and the importance of cherishing the green spaces that make Harehills such a special place to live.
Roundhay Road, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Sunset from Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Sunset from Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Leeds City Centre from Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Banstead Park, Harehills, taken by Jonathan Lawrence Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. 
Returning to Banstead Park for this Advent calendar entry feels like coming full circle. In 2020, when I first wrote about this green oasis, I was just beginning my journey with Harehills Love. Back then, I saw the park as a place of escape, a welcome respite from the challenges of lockdown. But over the years, my appreciation for Banstead Park has deepened. I’ve witnessed its role as a community hub, a gathering place for families, friends, and neighbours. I’ve seen children laughing on the playground, teenagers playing football on the grassy slopes, and older residents enjoying peaceful walks among the trees. Banstead Park has become a symbol of Harehills’ resilience, its ability to adapt and thrive even in the face of change.
Harehills ❤️ Love 
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