Friends group welcomes green light for Fleetwood's Memorial Park scheme

The Friends of the Memorial Park have been raising funds for the project for the past five years.

The improvements have now been given the official go ahead thanks to a grant of £29,500 from the Lancashire Environment Fund, a donation of £5,212 from the Friends group and funding of £2,788 from Wyre Council.

Wyre will lead on the project, which will see the existing climbing frame replaced, a new inclusive multi-unit added and the existing playground roundabout replaced with an inclusive roundabout suitable for all abilities.

Les Fletcher, chairman of the Friends of the Memorial Park, said: “We’re delighted that the play equipment has got the go ahead.

“We’ve all worked hard to get this far with the project and have been well supported by members of the community in Fleetwood.

"I think voluntary groups really are vital for this country and I think if it wasn't for them a lot of things wouldn't get done.

"It's shame that work will start when we have a lockdown - the pandemic has been a real challenge and last year we weren't able to raise any money at all.

"I'd just like to thank all the people who donated and helped our fundraising and the Lancashire Environment Fund in particular.

"We also had a great deal of help from Kate Baird, the Memorial Park Development Officer at Wyre, who has been a huge help."

Although the Grade II listed Memorial Park was awarded £2.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2016, to restore areas of the park for the community, the play area was not part of that project and has fallen into relative disrepair.

This prompted the Friends to start their campaign.

The inclusive equipment has been designed with wheelchair users in mind so that everyone can join in.

Coun Simon Bridge, portfolio holder for street scene, parks and open spaces at Wyre council, said: “It’s really exciting to receive this money from the Lancashire Environment Fund and I’d like to also thank the Friends of Memorial Park group who have worked so hard to raise the money which they have donated to this project.

Work is starting on Monday March 8.

The play area will be closed for approximately four weeks whilst the work is carried out.

Les said there were proposals for a second phase to the playground project which could include a seesaw, bouncy animal equipment and a wooden log swing,