£300k parks joy as council backs bids

Fylde Council’s cabinet this week agreed to help project manage a £272,000 sand and water play scheme at Park View in Lytham, as well as release £33,000 for a new park in Frobisher Drive, St Annes.

The two projects will help to provide play equipment for children across both towns and should be completed by the end of this year.

The sand and water play area was made possible after charity Park View won £395,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund last year.

More than £270,000 will be spent on constructing the play area, with a further £120,000 helping to support 12 new jobs.

Coun Sue Fazackerley, Fylde Council leader and leisure and culture portfolio holder, said: “This agreement has clarified some lines of demarcation between what we have signed up to do and between us and Park View.

“It is just a finalisation of the arrangements. It’s just a great grant and Park View has a midas touch when it comes to these things.

“I am very happy for them.”

Cath Powell, of Park View, said builders William Pye will break ground on the scheme in the next few weeks.

She added: “The parks department at the council have a fantastic track record in implementing schemes across various parks.

“They have a system which works.

“It works a treat and works for everyone. They are really good at handling these projects.”

As well as finalising the Lytham-based plans, the council also agreed to release £33,000 of planning gain money for a new park in Frobisher Drive, St Annes.

The scheme is set to include a slide, roundabout and other play equipment.

Coun Fazackerley added: “The park has been a bit neglected.

“It is in the range of £33,000 for some fresh play area equipment. It is a heavily residential area with lots of families. The council in the conjunction with the Friends of Frobisher Drive carried out a consultation and as a result of that plans were drawn up and now it is all systems go.”