Upgrade to Gatty Park Play Area Completed in Time for Summer Holidays
Upgrade to Gatty Park Play Area Completed in Time for Summer Holidays
The redeveloped play area at Gatty Park has officially reopened, offering local families a modern, inclusive space for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
Contractors from Groundwork and Leisure Services Ltd, who successfully bid for the project following a tender process, have completed the refurbishment, with the play area reopening to the public this week.
The project was funded by a £40,000 grant from FCC Communities Foundation, adding to £70,000 of council investment from Hyndburn Borough Council and £30,000 awarded by Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF).
Image: Sharon Hendrie, Chief Officer at YNOT Aspire and Cllr Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council
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, and who worked closely with partners to help bring additional investment into the project.
The funding has delivered a full refurbishment of the play area, replacing equipment that was more than 15 years old with modern, inclusive facilities designed for children of all ages and abilities.
Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said:
“It’s fantastic to see this much-loved play area brought back to life. We’re extremely grateful for the funding FCC Communities Foundation and LEF has given us, and it’s brilliant to see families back enjoying Gatty Park during the summer holidays. We’ve committed to improving play areas across Hyndburn, and these improvements are a sign of more to come this year.”
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Penny Horne, Grant Manager from FCC Communities Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to have supported the redevelopment of the Gatty Park play area. It’s clear how much this space means to local families, and we’re pleased that our funding has helped create a modern, inclusive and imaginative place for children to enjoy for many years to come. Seeing ideas from local children incorporated into the final design makes this project even more special.”
Local children were invited to share their ideas for the play area last year, and several of these have been incorporated into the final design. The Council engaged with pupils from Hyndburn Park Primary School, St Nicholas CE Primary School and Sacred Heart RC Primary School.
Sharon Hendrie from Ynot Aspire, said:
“The play facility offers the opportunity for people of different abilities and backgrounds to enjoy a public space together. We hope families will make lasting friendships when they visit the park, helping to build resilience within the local community.”
The newly redeveloped playground features 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 provide opportunities for imaginative play, physical activity and inclusive fun for families across the borough.
Work at Gatty Park is part of a wider programme of investment in play and recreation facilities across the borough, with further improvements planned for a number of sites. Upcoming projects include upgrades at Windsor Road Recreation Ground in Great Harwood and Harwood Road Recreation Ground in Rishton, followed by improvements at Burnley Road Recreation Ground in Altham and Peel Park in Accrington. Work will also take place at Bradshaw Street in Church, while plans are progressing for enhancements to Accrington Skatepark. Together, these schemes will help provide more modern, inclusive and enjoyable spaces for children, young people and families to be active and spend time outdoors in their local communities.