Councillor Habib Rehman Celebrates The Opening Of The Revitalised Saltwells Park With Local Residents
One of Middlesbrough's oldest recreation areas, Saltwells Park, is undergoing a transformation that will return it to its rightful place as a safe, pleasant environment for local children to meet and play in the centre of their community.
The new, revitalised park on the Longlands, Middlesbrough was officially re-launched on Saturday 11th August with fun events and activities for the whole family.The reading and writing group based at the centre have been exploring the issue of slavery through debate, creative writing and art.
The Youth Inclusion Bus, Sure Start, Middlesbrough Libraries, Breckon Hill Community Centre, Home Housing and the street wardens were just some of the agencies that went along to the event.
The proposals to refurbish Saltwells Park were first raised around two and a half years ago when committee members of Breckon Hill Community Centre and local residents contacted the council.
The park had become run down over the years with the equipment looking very worn and possibly dangerous. Parents were reluctant to let the children go into the park.
Over 420 questionnaires were hand-delivered by the council's community development staff to all the homes in the area asking residents what improvements they would like to see on the site.
This led to the formation of the Friends of Saltwells Park group who worked closely with the council's landscapes department to draw up plans for the refurbishment of the park which were agreed by local residents.
Funding of GBP 31K was raised from the Freda Valentine Fund and GBP 30K from the Middlesbrough College Marton Campus developers, Taylor Wimpey.
Further funding was required to purchase equipment and this came from University Community Council who contributed GBP 1872, Home Housing who contributed GBP 1000, and the North Ormesby Neighbourhood Manager who contributed GBP 2000 from his service budget.
A successful application to Groundworks also realised the sum of GBP 32,600 which financed two more swings, two additional benches and an extra rubbish bin, as well as the completion and painting of the perimeter fence and more tree planting.
The final touches to the recreation area are expected to be fully completed this autumn include a mosaic, which is being created by local children to decorate the entrance to the park.
Date: 23/08/07
Source: http://www.the-circuit.co.uk/pages/August2_07/Saltwells_Park.html
First Posted: 26/08/2008
