"Tree Stories" at the Central Forest Park, Stoke-on-Trent

"Tree Stories" at the Central Forest Park, Stoke-on-Trent
installed January 2008
designed by sculptor Denis O'Connor

The 21ft sculpture, called Tree Stories, was erected outside Central Forest Park, in Hanley on 24th January 2008 as part of a city council scheme to make the park more inviting. The plaza area will be completed in March.

It was selected by the public in 2005 and features motifs designed alongside schoolchildren from Sneyd Green Primary School and Forest Park Primary School.

The metal sculpture ‘Tree Stories’ holds leaves on its branches and motifs – the fruit of the tree. The motifs have been designed by the local community. The artist 'Sculpture Works' wanted the tree to tell the story of the area around Central Forest Park, so has been working with the local community to ensure the tree represents Central Forest Park’s community; their interests; lives and identities.

The work of art, which is being paid for by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund, was selected through a public poll.

The metal tree, is 6.5m (21ft) high and 4.6m (15ft) wide and has been designed by Denis O'Connor, for the park's plaza at the Town Road entrance.

Workshops took place in November 2007 with local school children from Sneyd Green Primary School and Forest Park Primary School. During the workshops the children explored Central Forest Park’s past including coal mining, then compared this to what Central Forest Park looks like now and how it is used today.