A new multi-use games area and table tennis tables are just some of the new additions coming soon to a park in Carlton as work on a £58k revamp gets underway.
Works started at Onchan Park yesterday (March 1) and are expected to take around five weeks to complete. The park will be closed while the work takes place.
The refurbishments include a brand new multi-use games area, suitable for playing football, basketball and cricket, new surfacing will replace the existing tarmac at the site making it safer for users, an additional entrance will be created from Onchan Avenue and an improved footpath suitable for disabled park users as well as pushchairs will give access to the new facilities.
Improvements are being made thanks to funding from FCC Communities foundation, a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by waste and resource management company FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund. FCC Communities Foundation will be providing a grant total of £58,265 for the park refurbishments.
The funding bid was made jointly by Gedling Borough Council and The Friends of Onchan Park, a local residents’ community group which formed in 2016 to help look after the park as well as allowing the local community to have their say in how the site is managed.
Cheryl Raynor, FCC Communities Foundation Local Grant manager said; “We are delighted to be supporting Gedling Borough Council and the Friends of group who worked tirelessly to show us why the project was needed and that it was well supported by the local community. The access works are works are of great importance and will ensure the new facilities are available for all to use.”
Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Peter Barnes said; “We know that across every part of the borough, parks and open spaces are some of the most important parts of any community, so it’s important that we ensure our residents can access these types of facilities. We’re very pleased that work will start on Onchan Park and children will be able to enjoy the new facilities very soon.
“We’ve listened to what the residents want and have worked with local community groups to apply, and secure funding for this site from FCC Communities Foundation, who have yet again come through and supported us. I’m incredibly grateful to FCC for providing this funding, it’s going to make a huge difference for all that use it, and help us to enhance our parks and open spaces for more people to enjoy”
