Sackville Park was an underused, small victorian park on the edge of Manchester's Canal Street. Whilst Canal Street itself enjoyed an urban renaissance during the 1990's, its adjacent park remained largely forgotten.

 

Following a request from leaders in the local community, Randall Thorp assisted with a consultation and engagement plan to draw attention to the park, highlight its potential and attract funding and resources towards its improvement.

 

A diverse range of stakeholders were identified including: Manchester's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; bars, clubs and businesses along Canal Street; Sheena Simon College staff and students, UMIST staff and students; the staff of Manchester Law Courts; Manchester Pride Committee; Manchester City Council officers; Local Councillors; local residents and Manchester's Chinese community. 

 

A variety of engagement techniques were used including: public meetings; one to one meetings and interviews; talks to existing community groups (such as Lesbian and Gay Youth Manchester, resident group meetings, local political groups); a news paper publicity campaign; workshop and brain storming sessions, and a street questionnaire carried out on a Friday evening after work and a Bank holiday afternoon to target as diverse a range of users as possible.

 

The results increased peoples awareness of the park, increased the use of the park, attracted diverse sources of funding for park projects such as decorative lighting and sculpture and encouraged Manchester City Council to invest more heavily in maintenance and capital works within the park.

 

Today Sackville Park is a well used, well loved part of this diverse and vibrant community.