Students champion their local parks in quest for £2.8m grant

Apr 5 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

STUDENTS yesterday celebrated their role in an attempt to win funding for £7m plans to restore three linked park areas.

The event at Burnside Business and Enterprise College in Wallsend marked the submission of North Tyneside Council’s grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project. It was also used to showcase a DVD about the Wallsend Parks project which has been produced by the students.

Wallsend Parks consists of Prince Road Arboretum, Richardson Dees Park and the Civic Hall grounds.

The scheme would restore them to their original beauty while transforming and updating the visitor experience. New facilities to encourage increased use include improved access, new sports facilities, new play site, toilets, cafe and community training rooms.

Historical features which will be restored are the bowls pavilion, Park Lodge, the Duffy Memorial Fountain, vinery wall and Wallsend Hall upper promenade. The bid to the HLF is for £2.8m. North Tyneside Mayor John Harrison said: “This initiative is a really exciting opportunity to bring Wallsend Parks back to the people.

“In particular, I have been really impressed with the involvement of students from Burnside Business and Enterprise College. We’re proud to have included their DVD with our bid document.

College headteacher Michelle Murphy said: “We work hard to ensure that students develop skills and expertise linked to responsibility, problem solving, teamwork and self confidence.

“The project provided the perfect opportunity for this.”