Residents in Walton are starting to build momentum behind efforts to improve Walton Playing Fields, better known locally as ABC Park.
The push comes after concerns over the condition of parts of the park, including the football pitch and play equipment. Local people say holes and uneven ground on the field had made it difficult, and at times unsafe, for children to play, especially younger footballers.
Now, a community effort is starting to take shape.
First steps already under way
Local residents have already begun work on the football pitch, filling damaged areas and laying out temporary goalposts while the grass regrows.
Pictures shared from the site show families out on the field and early signs of the work already under way.
On Easter Sunday, Sunday 5 April 2026, local parents also hosted an Easter egg hunt for children in and around Stone to help raise money towards improving the park.
It was a small but visible start, and one that supporters hope will lead to more people getting involved over the coming weeks.
Residents involved in the effort say they want to improve the space before it becomes unusable.
Support hoped for as concerns continue
Those behind the effort, described in the submission as Friends of ABC Park, say they hope to secure support from the council and Walton Community Centre as the project moves forward.
They have also raised concerns about the condition of some of the play equipment, saying safety issues have been reported.
The wider aim appears to be about more than a quick tidy-up. There is talk of restoring the park, gathering feedback from the community and showing that there is real local backing for improvements.
For families nearby, it is a practical issue as much as anything else. The field and play area are part of everyday life in Walton, and people do not want to see them fall further into disrepair.
What happens next
The next public event is an ABC Park community get together on Saturday 18 April 2026 at 11am at ABC Park.
The event is being billed as a relaxed get together for residents to chat about ideas for improving the park, do a bit of litter picking, and take photos and gather feedback to share with the council.
People attending are being asked to bring gloves and bags if they can.
While it is widely known locally as ABC Park, Stafford Borough Council lists the play area as Whitemill Lane, Stafford Road, Stone ST15 0EG, with facilities including a junior multi-play area, rocker, and cradle and flat swings.
If the early work on the pitch is anything to go by, local residents seem ready to put time into the park. The next question is whether that effort can turn into longer-term backing and visible improvements on the ground.
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