Petition to stop rewilding in Walsall to be heard at council meeting

In the summer of 2024, green areas across the borough, equivalent to 50 football pitches, were cut only once, saving the council £50,000.

Newquay Park and Wood End Park, the two main recreational areas on the Park Hall estate, were both selected for rewilding last summer.

Park Hall resident and lead petitioner, Kay Davies, said there was nowhere for children to play during the six week holidays.

She said the neglected areas left the community with inadequate and unsafe outdoor spaces for the community, with the long grass attracting rats, ticks and fleas.

Walsall Council had proposed to introduce further rewilding in summer 2025 in a bid to save a further £50,000.

But the proposal was removed from the budget following backlash.

In the petition objecting to the rewilding of Newquay Park, Wood End Park and green space near the shopping precinct in 2025, it says: “We request that the council discontinue the ‘wilding’ of the amenity spaces on Park Hall.

“Our community has been left with inadequate, unsafe playing areas for the children to play ball games or residents to walk their dogs.

“These areas have been maintained by the council and used by residents as amenity spaces and playing parks for the last 58 years.

“The long grass surrounding the now much reduced playing areas are a health hazard in that it is a perfect environment for fleas, ticks and rats of which residents have already seen new infestations.

“Children have taken to playing in the road as the playing and walking surfaces are uneven and dangerous.

“The children and residents’ physical and mental wellbeing are at risk because of this.”

Because the petition received over 500 signatures, it will be presented to the council’s economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee on Monday February 24 at 6pm.