Making Spaces fund supports local community projects

Tuesday, 27 July 2021 06:36

The restored pathway at Palatine Avenue park

Grants from Lancaster City Council’s Making Spaces fund are helping to make improvements to parks and open spaces across the district.

Launched two years ago but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the aim of the £100,000 fund is to make the Lancaster district a cleaner and greener place to live and spend time.

It does not replace existing maintenance by the council but aims to inspire community groups to ‘add value’ to existing public spaces or create new ones.

Successful projects to date have included footpath and drainage improvements at Lune Bank Gardens, and Piccadilly Plaza on Scotforth Road has received new plants and benches.

The fund is also helping to pay for the installation of a new footpath at Palatine Recreation Ground as part of plans to create a community garden, and will also be used to convert an old bowling green into a mini football pitch, complete with goals.

A grant is also helping Fairfield Allotments to develop events space and storage.

Councillor Dave Brookes, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: "The input of Friends groups and other community organisations makes a huge difference to our parks and open spaces, helping them to be maintained to a much higher standard, and with better facilities, than the council could ever achieve on its own.

“This funding has enabled residents to take a lead on improvements to their local green spaces, working together with the council to deliver benefits for the whole community."

Other successful applicants are:
•       Friends of Dorrington Woods
•       More Music
•       Friends of Greaves Park
•       Friends of Poulton Park
•       Friends of Regent Park
•       Kingsway Corridor
•       Friends of Ryelands Park
•       Friends of Bay Cottage
•       Belle Vue Terrace
•       Four Seasons Allotments
•       Growing in Overton
•       Wennington Parish Council
•       St Paul’s Church