THE second day of a project to transform unused York playing fields into an outdoor classroom and community gardens has seen huge progress.

More than 150 volunteers from businesses and schools around the city are taking part in this weeks’ Big Community Challenge, organised by York Cares, at the Greenfields site off Haxby Road.

Kate Harper, from York Cares, said: “We have got much better weather today, although the ground is still quite wet. People have been turning over the raised flower beds and the shelter in the middle now has a roof.

“We were slightly ahead of schedule at the end of yesterday, and have had to adapt today and have put some paths down which will hopefully make it easier underfoot for the final day.”

Materials for the project have been donated by MKM Building Supplies, while volunteers from City of York Council, Network Rail, DE Ford, Aviva, the University of York and TSYS, The Press, Benenden Healthcare, Coalters, Evora Construction, FERA, HE Academy, Langleys, North Yorkshire Police, Pension and Benefit Services, Tesco Askham Bar, Wipro Technologies, York Marriott Hotel, and York St John University will also take part in the event.

A new sign to the site will be designed by Haxby Road Primary School pupils and will be placed at the entrance to the new community gardens today, when the challenge ends.