A group set up to look after the interests of an Oxford park went walkabout to assess the state of the site.

About a dozen members of the Friends of Bury Knowle Park, which was founded last month, visited the green space in Headington on Sunday.

Roz Smith, the Oxfordshire county councillor for Barton and Churchill, who is leading the committee, said: “There had been a few suggestions put forward, but we thought it would be best to do it during a walkabout and physically see the areas we were talking about.

“While we were there we picked up some good ideas and some new people joined us with new ideas.

“One of the fundamental things is in the sensory garden where the water feature hasn’t worked for some time.

“The other big thing is getting proper welcome signs to the park.

“At the moment they look very sad and most people don’t realise there are tennis courts, mini-golf, a basketball hoop and kickabout area for children. I think it’s important that people know about what’s available on their doorsteps.

“One of the other ideas is recycling bins in the park so people having a picnic can immediately recycle their rubbish without it going to landfill.”

The group’s first committee meeting was due to take place last night at St Andrew’s Primary School in London Road.

Mrs Smith added: “I’m really quite excited. The friends group can do so much the city council can’t, like apply for grants and charity help, but we are also working with the city council.”

Committee member Ruth Wilkinson, who represents Headington on the city council, said: “This was the first walk around for the friends of the park to come along and brainstorm about what they like in the park and what they want to improve.

“We are looking for all sorts of input from everyone in the community of all age groups and backgrounds.

“It would be nice to provide extra facilities as it’s not just people in Headington who use the park, but also people from Barton, Risinghurst and Sandhills.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk To get involved or to find out more visit headington.org.uk/ buryknowle