VICAR June Kirkham and her husband John have created a new playground for children.
The Rev Kirkham, of St Martha's Church, in Aspley, which houses the Hope Centre, has transformed an adjoining derelict piece of land, with she and Mr Kirkham doing much of the work themselves.
Mrs Kirkham, who lives in the next door to the site, says the land looked untidy and was causing trouble, involving the police .
It is now fenced off and she said: "It was used a cut-through and there was litter everywhere, and kids were hanging around on there in the evenings and we had some damage and all that kind of thing, so hopefully it will stop all that."
"We could see it needed doing – it was an eyesore – and we could do something about it, and the local residents and everyone is so happy."
The playground will be used by families who attend the parent and toddler group at the church, and by the lunch club who can sit outside on the new seating.
Family play worker Julie Cotton, who runs the parent and toddler sessions, said: "We did have a play area before but it wasn't very well maintained so we didn't actually get out there much.
"It's really nice and peaceful out there now and the children enjoy it."
She added: "We haven't actually been able to get out much due to the weather, so we're looking forward to some nice weather!"
To keep costs down, Mr Kirkham, who used to be in the building trade, and a few of his friends did the majority of the work on evenings and weekends.
He said: "We worked on it basically when people were available.
"We all had different jobs to do.
"We've got plans for a bit more as well. We want to put another arch in, things like that."
Other cost-saving initiatives included using all recycled fencing, which needed reconstructing and repainting, as well as pressure washing the paving slabs.
The cost of the project was met by Nottingham City Council, the Southwell and Nottingham Diocese, and Mission Development, which supports the work of churches.
Nottingham North MP Graham Allen said: "It's a wonderful little scheme, especially the fact that vicar's done it all voluntarily."
