Picture from left to right (George Rothery, David Knott and Philip Longcake)
Visitors to Bradford’s City Park enjoy colourful flower displays, well-kept lawns and attractive green spaces throughout the year, but behind the scenes there’s a dedicated team working hard to keep the park looking its best.
One of those team members is George Rothery, who helps maintain the park’s flower beds, grassed areas and seasonal planting displays.
For George, one of the best things about working in City Park is the variety.
“Every day is not the same,” he says. “Working outdoors through the different seasons means there’s always something different to do.”
George’s favourite area of the park is the flower beds, where a wide range of plants create colourful displays for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
“I like the flower beds because there’s a different selection of plants,” he explains.
Seeing the results of the team’s hard work is one of the most rewarding parts of the job, especially when visitors take the time to share positive feedback.
“I’m most proud of the compliments I get from the public,” says George. “It’s rewarding to see the end results of your hard work and to know people appreciate it.”
He particularly enjoys seeing visitors make the most of the park, whether that’s admiring the flower displays, relaxing on the grass or simply enjoying a walk around the site.
While visitors may see the finished result, there’s a lot of work that goes on throughout the year to keep City Park looking its best. Grass is cut regularly, flower beds are weeded and maintained, and wildflower areas are carefully managed to support biodiversity.
George’s favourite feature in the park is the wildflower area, which is cut back once a year after flowering and provides colour and interest throughout the growing season.
As autumn approaches, the gardening team begins preparing the park for the colder months ahead. Plants are cut back, beds receive a fresh layer of woodchip to help protect plants over winter, and grass areas are treated to encourage strong root growth.
This year, the team will also be planting around 700 new plants, while replacing any that have become damaged or failed, helping to ensure City Park continues to provide vibrant displays for visitors next year.
Thanks to George and the wider City Park team, visitors can continue enjoying a welcoming, colourful and well-maintained green space in the heart of Bradford.