Carnforth play area gets new lease of life thanks to £65,000 fundraising effort

Tuesday, 5 April 2022 12:46

A play area in Carnforth has been given a revamp after £65,000 was raised by residents.

The new play park and woodland trail at Crag Bank Park has been officially opened, after a fundraising campaign lasting two years made the scheme possible.

Stef Gray and the Public Realm team at Lancaster City Council have provided advice and support throughout including installation of the equipment for the new play area which is now a fantastic facility for children of all ages to play on. There are also new picnic benches and seating for mums and dads so that they can watch their little ones play on a wide range of new and challenging equipment.

In the early days of the project an online survey sought the views of neighbours and users to ascertain exactly what they wanted to see in the park. Seating, tables, swings, climbing frames and interesting and challenging equipment for the kids featured highly - if you check out the park now, you will see that these aspirations have certainly been delivered!

But it’s not all about play equipment - last November, fourteen fruit trees were planted which should produce a fantastic community orchard in a few years’ time. A hedgerow has also been established with the support of The Woodland Trust and over a dozen bird boxes have been installed throughout the park area. At the same time, Lancaster City Council planted over 1500 bulbs which, in the months and years to come, should flourish into a spectacular floral meadow.

Bob Bailey from Carnforth Town Council, said: ‘’Councillor and Crag Bank resident, Steve Watson has been the driving force behind the project which can be a challenge at any time but events over the past couple of years made fundraising and progress that little more difficult!

‘’The project has succeeded through the determination and tireless efforts of the Friends of Crag Bank Play Area, including Gemma Wilson, who was instrumental in driving funding applications, running raffles, and generating many ideas to raise funds.

‘’Dan Taylor ran focus groups and provided many designs which assisted in achieving the end result and Andrew Kitchen, Michelle Holden and Terry and Antonia Allum have all chipped in with help, ideas and support. These friends have given up hours of their time for the benefit of others and the wider community.

‘’In his speech before the opening of the new facility, Councillor Watson thanked the many benefactors who have helped to fund the project, including Councillor Kath Bromilow MBE, Carnforth Town Council, The Lancashire Environmental Fund, The People’s Postcode Lottery, Sodexo, Tesco, Carnforth Rotary, and every neighbour who donated along the way.

‘’Special thanks went to Councillor Paul Turner - who made and sold over 50 carved reindeers - many of which can be seen in gardens in Crag bank - with much of the proceeds going towards the park fund.’’

Following an online draw, three young residents were drawn to lead on the opening ceremony. They were Tommy and Archie, who held the ribbon, and Daniel who has given the honour of cutting the ribbon and officially opening the park - with hundreds of local kids immediately pouring in to be the first to use the facilities.

Bob Bailey added: ‘’Councillor Watson and the Friends of Crag Bank Play Area are, rightly, proud of their achievements.

‘’Parks and open spaces are at the heart of the community and the changes that have been made to the park offers families a fresh space to play, meet, chat and enjoy the surroundings that have been created.’’

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Carnforth play area gets new lease of life thanks to £65,000 fundraising effort

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