Lottery funding boosts region's parks
Apr 16 2009 The Journal
LOTTERY funding has once again come to the rescue of parks in the North East.
On Saturday The Journal reported how the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) had invested a total of £55m in restoring the region’s parks over the last 13 years.
Now the HLF and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) have awarded grants to another two parks.
Yesterday they announced £2.4m for the biggest park in Sunderland which celebrates the centenary of its opening in August. Barnes Park was laid out as a local work creation initiative during the recession of that time. Unusually for the period, the design was developed without the involvement of any recognised landscape architects. Mowbray Park in Sunderland has already been restored with £10m in lottery money.
The Barnes Park revitalisation scheme will involve landscape conservation work, restoring the bandstand and the park’s cannon. New play areas will be created and disused tennis courts will be replaced with an ornamental garden.
Other developments will include a multi-use games area, the installation of a cycleway connecting to the major C2C route , rejuvenation of, and a new bridge over, the lake, removal of excess shrubbery and trees to improve the security of the park, new seating, railings, and signs, and the employment of a full-time community development and education officer based in the park. Leader of Sunderland City Council Paul Watson said: “This is excellent news. Barnes Park is a key part of Sunderland’s heritage.
“I am very proud that we have now been awarded the funds to restore its historical features and redevelop it for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Another £45,000 was awarded to the 1920s Brinkburn Denes Park in Darlington so that Darlington Borough Council can work up plans for a restoration £878,500 scheme.
Ivor Crowther, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North East, said: “Parks are special places that enrich our lives and contribute to the well-being of communities across our region. Our funding has had a huge impact on parks in the North East creating wonderful spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
