Grant Funding Awarded for Renovation of Play Area at Gatty Park
Hyndburn Borough Council has secured new funding from FCC Communities Foundation to support the redevelopment of the playground at Gatty Park in Accrington.
A £40,000 grant from FCC Communities Foundation has been secured for the renovation project at Gatty Park, Accrington, adding to £70,000 of council investment from Hyndburn Borough Council and £30,000 awarded by Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF).
The LEF funding was secured with the support of local organisation Ynot Aspire, who support young people to make a difference to their lives and their community within Hyndburn, who worked closely with partners to help bring additional investment into the project.
The combined funding will enable a full refurbishment of the existing play area, replacing equipment that is now more than 15 years old with modern, inclusive facilities designed for children of all ages and abilities.
Image: Cllr Stewart Eaves, Portfolio Holder for Parks and Open Spaces and Sharon Hendrix, Chief Officer at Ynot Aspire at Gatty Park
The newly redeveloped playground will feature a wide range of play equipment, including: a Mizzenmast climbing net, a swing set with an inclusive seat and cradle swing, an inclusive springy, a Whirlybob seated rotator, stepping pods, a We-hopper two-way bouncer, a four-seat carousel, a campervan play unit, a bike springy, an inclusive see-saw and a large climbing unit. Together, these features will provide opportunities for imaginative play, physical activity and inclusive fun for families across the borough.
Cllr Stewart Eaves, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services at Hyndburn Borough Council, said:
“This is fantastic news for residents and visitors alike. Set within one of our prestigious Green Flag parks, Gatty Park is a beloved community asset, offering a wide range of facilities and the proposed renovation will make a huge difference to the offering within the park. This investment will provide a real boost to the children anf families who make use of the play area and we’re really looking forward to updating residents as the works progress.”
Sharon Hendrie, Chief Officer of Ynot Aspire, said:
“We are proud to have supported the successful bid to Lancashire Environmental Fund and to have played a part in securing additional investment for Gatty Park. This project shows what can be achieved when local organisations and the council work together to improve spaces that really matter to families and young people in the community.”
FCC Communities Foundation in a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Cheryl Raynor, FCC Communities Foundation Grant Manager, said
“We’re thrilled to support the renovation of Gatty Park’s play area, and proud to help create a vibrant, inclusive space where children can thrive and families can come together. It’s projects like this that turn shared spaces into places of possibility and happiness for many years to come.”
Works on the playground are expected to commence in Spring 2026, ahead of a grand opening scheduled for late Summer 2026.