WORK is due to start next month on ambitious plans to breathe new life into a small suburban park.
The project, at the Walker Street community garden in Hoole, will become a reality thanks to funding of £25,000 from WREN and finance from the city council’s Upton, Newton and Hoole area committee and nearby developments.
The council says the Walker Street park has raised concerns in the past for attracting anti-social behaviour.
For some time, the area committee has been working with residents, community safety wardens and local businesses to tackle the issue and explore ways of reinstating the park as a valued facility for the community.
Last autumn, people had the chance to go along and look at the city council’s proposals, which include planting new trees and shrubs, creating new pathways and installing seating.
Commenting on the grant, area committee chairman Cllr Adrian Walmsley (Con, Newton St Michael’s) said: “I am absolutely delighted that WREN has chosen to support this and look forward to seeing a safe and attractive leisure space that everyone can enjoy.”
Richard Smith, project manager with WREN added: “The area is a key open space for the local community and we hope it will be enjoyed by a variety of people for many years to come.”
The park is the only communal green space in the densely populated area with 3,250 people living within a 10-minute walk of the garden which is set in mainly Victorian terraces.
Until 1999 the park had a small number of play features, but these were removed partly due to vandalism and the area was grassed.
Three features for toddlers have subsequently been reinstated.
The improvements will include planting beds, providing footpaths, enabling access for disabled people, painting the fencing and providing art work along the railings. There will also be signage, dog and litter bins.
Construction is due to be completed in April or May with an official opening ceremony in June.
A bulb-planting day is also pencilled in for local people in the autumn.
