[A] treasured park has reopened to the public following the first stage of work to restore it.
Nobles Rest in Kendal was closed in February to allow work to begin on new drainage and pathways as part of a community-led enhancement project.
South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is working in partnership with the Friends of Nobles Rest, Kendal Town Council, Kendal Civic Society and other groups to improve the area for future generations.
Money from SLDC, including a grant from the council’s Locally Important Projects (LIPs) fund, enabled a contract to be awarded for almost £220,000 to lay more than one thousand metres of new drainage and 1,500 metres of footpath.
More than 4,000 square metres of turf has also been laid.
SLDC’s Leader, Councillor Giles Archibald, said: “It is a fantastic project and it’s wonderful to see so many people come together with a vision to renovate and enhance this park.
“This is only the first part of a project which local people feel passionately about. Over the coming weeks and months we will also see further improvements to the woodland and family-friendly planting as Nobles Rest is restored to its former glory.”
Trees were thinned and 18 felled with Forestry Commission approval to enable the natural regeneration of the woodland. This allows more natural light to reach the woodland floor, supporting the development of younger and middle-aged trees.
Contractors have faced a number of challenges including extremes of weather; heavy rain and snow followed by weeks of sweltering sunshine.
Kendal Town Council is paying £15,000 for a new path at Town View Field and £2,000 has been donated through the Tesco Bags of Help project.
Nobles Rest, which is located at the end of Maude Street, was donated by Mary Ellen Noble in 1929 as a sanctuary of rest for the aged and a play area for small children to enjoy.
It was created to commemorate her husband, local surgeon Samuel Clarke Noble.
An official reopening ceremony will be held at Nobles Rest on Sunday 2 September between 3pm and 5pm.
