- Area:
- North East England
- Programme:
- Parks for People
- Release date:
- 15 4 2009
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) have today awarded over £2.4million in funding to two major parks in the North East through the Parks for People programme.
The biggest park in Sunderland, Barnes Park, is celebrating confirmation of a £2.4 million grant (71% of project costs) to turn its restoration plans into reality, whilst Brinkburn Denes Park in Darlington is receiving development funding worth £45,200 so that Darlington Borough Council can work up plans for a £878,500 scheme to return the park to its former glory*.
Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North East, said: “Parks are special places that enrich our lives and contribute to the well-being of communities across our region. Our funding has had a huge impact on numerous parks in the North East creating wonderful spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
James Turner, Big Lottery Fund Head of the North East region said: “The Big Lottery Fund is pleased to be part of the renaissance of our public parks and today’s investment will help to ensure that the community gets the most of what these places have to offer. Parks require a lot of maintenance and care and this funding for Barnes Park and Brinkburn Denes Park will help to preserve these valuable green spaces and the environment for the future.”
Barnes Park, Sunderland
Barnes Park was laid out in the early 1900s as a local work creation initiative during the recession of that time. Unusually for the period, the design was developed without the involvement of any recognised landscape architects.
A confirmed £2.4million investment will now regenerate this popular park, carefully conserving the landscape and restoring the bandstand and the cannon. New play areas will be added and the disused tennis courts will be replaced with an ornamental garden.
Other developments at Barnes Park will include:
- A multi use games area
- The installation of a cycleway to connect to the popular ‘Coast to Coast’ cycle route
- Rejuvenation of the lake and surrounding area
- Removal of excess shrubbery and tree coverage to improve the security of the park and to deter anti social behaviour
- New bridge for the lake
- New ‘street furniture’ (seating, railings, signs)
- Employment of a full-time Community Development and Education Officer based within the park
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Paul Watson said: “This is excellent news for Sunderland and everyone in the city. Barnes Park is a key part of Sunderland’s heritage and has been for the last 100 years. I am very proud that we have now been awarded the funds to restore its historical features and redevelop it for the enjoyment of future generations. The decision is particularly timely as it is 100 years this August since Barnes Park first opened.”
Brinkburn Denes Park, Darlington
The Denes is a popular green space originally established in the 1920s serving an area of terraced housing where the residents have little or limited gardens. If successful in its Stage Two bid, the council will be able to carry out much needed improvements that will not only enhance the park’s physical infrastructure but also ensure that it continues to be an asset for the whole community.
Key areas of focus will include new themed entrances for the park to give a sense of identity to the whole park, repairs to the bridges, lighting, signage, seating and fences, and improvements to horticulture. A full range of activities to attract new and existing audiences will also be planned, including volunteering and training activities for young people aged 14-25 to include events such as history walks, cultural events and a school holiday programme.
Andy Scott, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services said: “This is great news. Lottery funding helped us to carry out major work to transform South Park. Now, with the help of more Lottery money, we can begin to prepare plans to improve another of Darlington’s most popular parks.”
Further Information
For further information, please contact Vicky Wilford HLF’s press office on 020 7591 6046
Email: vickyw@hlf.org.uk
Out of hours mobile: 07973 401937
Helen Harch at the Big Lottery Fund on 020 7211 3707
Email: helen.harch@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Notes to Editors
The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership (2006-2009) to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150million. Over the three years the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is investing up to £80 million (in England only) with £70 million coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
*The Parks for People programme has a two-stage or two-round application process. At the first stage or round, an organisation can apply for a development grant to contribute to the costs of developing the project for a second stage or round application. The full grant is only awarded if the second-round application is successful.
Parks for People programme grants range from £250,000 to £5million with two rounds of funding each year.
Every completed park project will be expected to achieve the annual prestigious Green Flag Award and in doing so demonstrate quality standards of care and upkeep.
HLF will continue to fund public park projects with an approved investment of some £20 million each year from 2009. The next closing date for applications is 31 August 2009. See www.hlf.org.uk for details.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,800 projects, allocating over £4.3billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
HLF has already invested more than £400million in 300 historic public parks, gardens, squares and promenades right across the UK.
BIG has invested more than £700million on environmental initiatives to date. For more information, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
BIG rolls out close to £2million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.
Good Causes - out of every pound spent on a National Lottery ticket, 28p goes directly to good causes. BIG is responsible for distributing half of the money to improve communities and the lives of people most in need. HLF distributes 16.67% of the money to heritage projects across the UK. There are 12 other organisations responsible for distributing lottery money to good causes. www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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