'Walks in local park helped me grieve my father'

Mark Burnett said he was inspired to write after observing the cycle of life at his local park

A Greater Manchester poet said spending time in his local park following the death of his father during the Covid-19 pandemic had helped him to grieve.

Mark Burnett said he was awed by the natural world and the cycle of life as he found a sense of calmness in Worthington Park in the Sale area of Trafford.

"Just being out in and amongst nature, people don't realise just something as simple as a walk and the power that actually has," he said. "Seeing nature, seeing the trees and the leaves falling away, the whole thing about the cycle of life just sprung to mind."

Mr Burnett said he had been inspired to write a poem about his experiences, which is on the Worthington Park website.

Worthington Park's 16-acre site is maintained by volunteers

Worthington Park covers 16 acres and nestles between Sale's residential streets.

The land was donated to the community by philanthropist Mary Worthington in 1900.

For the last 20 years its upkeep has been overseen by a team of volunteers.

Mr Burnett, accompanied by his dog Otto, is a regular visitor.

The surveyor believes urban parks are vital green spaces to give everybody the chance to experience nature and socialise.

"You just meet people and you talk to people," he explained.

Mr Burnett said he always made an effort to greet people.

"I'm just going to say 'Morning!' - I like interacting.

"I like to talk, I am one of life's talkers. I'll see you on the street, I'm just going to stop you and talk to you."

Excerpt from A Walk in Worthington Park

by Mark Burnett

To die this perfect Autumnal death,

To bear witness to this perennial quietus.

To share this time with the trees as their leaves regress and acquiesce.

Cut adrift…

They float, flutter and tumble in freefall

The wind whistles through the branches & leaves.

Eva squeals – "Copter daddy! Again! Copter!"

As it twists, twirls, spirals & gyrates

In the brisk Autumnal breeze

And...

All is calm, and I am at ease

As the majesty of nature has once again spoken

And…

The truth of life is revealed

To walk in awe

And…

To behold, the reds, the gold, the yellows, the oranges, the browns

And…

All the shades in between.

To see the unyielding beauty in this Autumnal death,

This restores and inspires me.

Originally known as Sale Park, the green space was renamed Worthington Park in 1950 to honour its benefactor