A BRADFORD park is set to transform into a site better equipped for the effects of climate change as part of an innovative tie-up between the Council and a Netherlands city. 

Horton Park will be used as a site to carry out wildlife research by city students among others, after Bradford Council joined forces with Dordrecht and digital technologies hub IMEC on the project. 

LIFE CRITICAL is an EU project that adapts older city neighbourhoods so they are equipped for the effects of climate change. 

It achieves this with natural landscape design and getting the local community involved in monitoring the changes to temperature, air quality, wildlife and plants.

The Council’s landscape, design and conservation team will work in partnership with a team from Dordrecht, who designed Wielwijk Park, which, like Horton Park, is an urban park and neighbourhood.

As part of the project, Bradford schools and community groups will help to monitor the changing climate in the park and record the numbers and types of birds, insects and plants.

The Council will team up with the University of Bradford and Bradford Institute for Health Research’s Born in Bradford project. 

The university will look into climate change monitoring technologies, and how the history of the park can be used to engage the community, while Born In Bradford will carry out research on how people feel about the park and the benefits of play and recreation to aid health and wellbeing.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) will also be installed in the park. These are a more natural way to reduce the likelihood of flooding by transporting surface water elsewhere, slowing the flow of water or using materials to encourage the water to soak into the ground or evaporate. 

This can be done by creating ditches to divert water flow, ponds, wetlands or permeable paving. SuDS can also encourage biodiversity and add attractive features to a site.

It is hoped that this project could be replicated in other urban areas of the Bradford district to make them more climate resilient.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said Horton Park will reap the environmental rewards of taking part in the project. 

She said: “This is an innovative project which could have far-reaching benefits. 

“It should lead to a reduction in flooding and heat damage at the park, as well as enhancing the area for the local community. 

“We also hope to learn from other urban areas who are already doing this kind of work and share the results of this project with others locally, nationally and across Europe.”

Saira Ali, team leader of the Council’s landscape, design and conservation team, added: “The project aims to enhance the attractiveness of Horton Park as well as improving the local community’s quality of life. 

“Horton Park is one of the oldest public parks in the city, originally opening in 1878, and has protected heritage status on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.”

Ellen Kelder, Lead Partner at Dordrecht, said: “The LIFE CRITICAL project will work with the community to monitor changes to their environment and gather feedback from citizens.”