Phase One of the Hawthorne Park redevelopment is now complete, bringing with it new play equipment, lighting, a wildflower and wildlife habitat and new landscaping, which the community has already been enjoying for a number of weeks.
The official opening has taken place this week, when the many people involved in the resurrection of the three-and-a-half acre site came together to celebrate what they have achieved so far.
The transformation has been a five-year journey after an idea by Thornton Action Group to improve play facilities on land off Hawthorne Road.
Since then, the community has got involved in the project.
Smaller shrubs and hedging was planted by children from Baines and Stanah schools, followed by around 270 pyracantha plants as a barrier against the boundary walls, courtesy of the Wyre Countryside Rangers and a group of "friends".
Earlier this week, Millfield High School pupils were involved in wildflower seeding and the St John's Beavers gave up their evening to introduce more than 700 plants.
The bulk of the funding has come from from Wyre Council, alongside donations from Wyre Housing Association, the Wyre Strategic Partnership, Lancashire Environmental Fund, local businesses and the community, which raised £2,000 through a number of coffee mornings.
A further £80,000 has been made available from the Big Lottery Award for Play. This will go towards the second phase of redevelopment to bring in more specialist play equipment, hopefully in place by October. A search for more funding continues with the aim of introducing a multi-use sports area, signage and improved entrances.
Jenie Phillips, Secretary of the Hawthorne Park Trust, which has secured a 50-year lease for the park, said: "It's been wonderful to at last watch children on the play equipment and playing football on the grass, families having picnics or just strolling through the park."