Grimsby school children protest over state of their local park

School pupils in Grimsby have taken to the streets in protest over the state of a nearby park.

Youngsters from Oasis academy Nunsthorpe held a march to highlight problems on the estate's recreation ground after a girl fell and was hurt by a nail sticking out.

The council received a petition from the children and says they plan to spend cash on improving several parks including the one there.

Just over 50 pupils aged 8 to 9 years old took part in the demonstration.

It’s unsafe, unkempt and we just want an area to be proud of

Cllrs Janet Goodwin and Tim Mickleburgh, who received the petition in person, promised to present it at a future council meeting.

The protest comes after Grimsby dad Lewis Parker said he would repair the play park himself if the council did not do it first.

His daughter, aged one, was injured after she tripped and fell on an outstretched nail.

Fortunately, she only suffered a bleeding nose as her mum was able to get hold of her as she fell.

“It’s unsafe, unkempt and we just want an area to be proud of,” Oasis Academy teacher Rachel Winfarrah said of the main message of the pupils’ protest.

Year 4 pupils recently learned about the civil rights movement and how that created change in the USA.

The final element of that was to go out on a short, peaceful protest.

Children chanted "keep our park safe"

“We just thought it would be so much more beneficial to go on a protest that directly affects them.”

The protest march lasted less than 45 minutes, but the pupils had created placards such as “Keep our environment safe” and gathered petition signatures.

“It’s about showing our children have got a voice,” Ms Winfarrah added.

The children chanted “Keep our park safe” as they walked from the school to Nunsthorpe Recreation Ground on Friday morning. A

“We’ve taken a look at it and it just isn’t good enough,” said Harvey, 8, from Oasis Academy.

“More people are going to get injured and hurt"