Stafford Orchard Park

.Stafford Orchard was gifted as a public park to the village of Quorn in 1922, although the use of part of it as a village green dates back to 1588.

In 2006 a small team of volunteers drew up plans to revitalise what had become a tired, underused open space in the centre of Quorn. Two major village consultations subsequently refined the plans; local schools and toddler groups helped to choose play equipment; students and teachers from the local Community College helped to design an over-eight’s play area; a group of young people designed a skate park; volunteers planned a peaceful sensory garden.

In March 2009 the National Lottery awarded a grant to the volunteer group working on the project. With additional financial support from Charnwood Borough and Quorndon Parish Councils, the park was completely transformed in 2010/11.

The refurbishment provided new play equipment for young and older children, enhanced the landscape and biodiversity in the park with new trees, native shrubs, thousands of spring bulbs and a sensory garden, developed wildlife habitats in the park's brook area, improved the entrances, paths, boundaries and access, and enhanced the heritage aspects of the park. The old gaol at the entrance (a listed building) was restored and a Park Services Building and toilets reconstructed. The park also now has a raised performance area for outside events, concerts and performances.

The park officially reopened on May Day 2011, and audience surveys in 2012 indicated that usage of the park had more than doubled.