A £130,000 project will transform a rubbish-strewn site into a valuable facility for residents.
Fields and hedgerows in Beechwood, near the community centre in Kirkham Row, Middlesbrough, have been described as an eyesore by residents.
Many say burned-out cars, drugs refuse and other rubbish have littered the fields and walkways for years.
Groundwork Middlesbrough and the Wise Group, which recruits people to train for employment, have teamed up to clean the site.
There are plans for a revamped basketball court, tree planting and an off-road cycle track.
Richard Hughes, landscape architect at Groundwork Middlesbrough, said: "We started work last week and will be on site for about 20 weeks. The project is all about opening up the site, making it look much better and feel safer.
"We want to make it a better used site for everybody."
Eight people from the Wise Group will support Groundwork's efforts.
The project has been funded by several organisations, including the European Fund, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and Barclays Site Savers.
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