2:21pm Wednesday 20th January 2010
By Peter Magill
LARGE investment has been pledged for a popular park which missed out on National Lottery funding last year.
Plans for an open-air stage and revamped play area, along with relocated ball courts, teenage hangouts, a family area and rose walks were pencilled in for Padiham’s Memorial Park.
But the bid missed out on Heritage Lottery Fund backing, forcing park supporters back to the drawing board.
Now a grant of £47,000 from Lancashire County Council’s Playbuilder scheme has been announced, rounding off a £100,000 project to overhaul the play area overlooking the River Calder.
Work set to be carried out will see a six-metre crow’s nest-style frame installed and extensive landscaping to link existing features.
Coun Len Starr, who represents the ward covering the park, said: “It is about time Padiham saw some improvements because we have been starved of cash.
“Any investment in the town is welcome and this will link in with the REMADE project, on the old railway line, and improvements made to the riverside.”
Further money for the park has come from Burnley Council and the Stocks Massey Fund.
The scheme will complement £370,000 borough council proposals, announced last year in the wake of the lottery disappointment.
It will see new toilets, improvements to the upper park’s play area and the restoration of the rose garden.
Other work includes £24,000 to refurbish the ball court, £14,000 to spruce up the tennis courts and redeveloping the old bandstand as a ‘secret garden’.
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