Park upgrade helping community to '˜grow'

BetterStart Park Rangers Louise Chennells (left), Jon Yates and Amanda Meadowcroft

Two disused bowling greens at Revoe Park, off Central Drive, have been transformed into a new playground and a garden where adults and children can learn to grow plants and vegetables.

Both the pavilion and community garden hut have been refurbished and brought back to life within the park, while work is also underway to create a nature trail and make improvements to footpaths.

Three park rangers have also been appointed who will be running events for youngsters throughout the year and cultivating relationships within the community.

Better Start Park Rangers lead an arts and crafts session with children at the Grange Park Childrens Centre consultation

The £300,000 scheme is a partnership between Blackpool Better Start - the £45m Lottery project to improve the lives of pre-school children - and the council.

Sharon Mather, development manager with Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development, said: “Through this project, Revoe Park has grown into something more.

“It has become an amazing resource right on the doorstep for Revoe families.

“The progress we are making has been very encouraging to local residents.

“Everyone has been able to see an immediate difference in the area, and the community is seeing results of the consultation they have taken part in.

“The ideas they shared are coming to life and benefiting everyone. It’s very exciting.”

The council has also enhanced the MUGA (multi-use games area) area and pruned some of the trees.

The project is one of several schemes underway at the moment to improve park with consultation taking place ahead of improvements at Claremont Park, as well as green spaces in Mereside and Grange Park.

Around 120 people attended a consultation session at Grange Park where the park rangers held arts and craft sessions for children.

Coun Graham Cain, cabinet secretary for Blackpool Council and Bloomfield ward councillor, said: “Revoe Park is an area we’ve wanted to improve for a number of years now.

“It’s a really important green space in the heart of a built up area, which we can use to help develop a local community around.

“These improvements should help make it a safer place to visit, while the park rangers and community garden will help families to get outside, learn new skills and make new friends.”

Find out more by visiting Better Start’s website at www.blackpoolbetterstart.org.uk