Burnley Council has worked closely with a local community to create a new “pocket park” that will help bring people together.
The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Cosima Towneley, officially opened Stoneyholme Gardens Pocket Park in front of an audience of residents and community leaders.
“By working with the local community to find out what they wanted to see done, the council has created a lovely oasis for people of all ages to spend time in and enjoy,” said the Mayor.
“We’ll continue to work with the community to keep the gardens tidy and in good condition and to make further improvements in the future.”
The refurbished gardens are the culmination of partnership working between the council and the newly created Friends of Stoneyholme Gardens.
“It’s fantastic to see how all the hard work of the council and residents has come together to create this wonderful community park,” added Councillor Shah Hussain, the council’s executive member for community and environmental services.
The existing play area has been improved with a larger space given over to a combination of new and refurbished play equipment, providing greater play value and variety for children.
A new outdoor gym area has been created and there is more seating. Raised wooden planters have been installed for the local community, working with the Friends group, to plants up with a variety of herbs, flowers and vegetables.
The whole site has had a facelift with bushes being cut back and cleared around the edges after concerns were raised by residents about anti-social behaviour.
Two new areas of wildflower have been created, along with the planting of some perennial shrubs and soft fruit bushes. Such variety will create a colourful garden, attractive to both people and wildlife.
The £41,500 scheme was funded through the Government’s Pocket Parks Plus initiative (£25,500) plus £16,000 capital monies from the council’s play area improvement programme.