Work will begin today (8 July) on a new play area in a popular Ulverston park.
The start of the work in Lightburn Park is the culmination of a four-year project between South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and the Friends of Lightburn Park group to transform the old play area into a larger, more modern and exciting facility for children of all ages and abilities.
The £120,000 new play area will feature a zip-wire, more swings and climbing features, as well as inclusive facilities which can be enjoyed by all.
The Friends of Lightburn Park has been working since 2016 on fundraising for the new play area.
SLDC has provided £40,000 from its Locally Important Projects (LIPs) and capital grants funds and further funding has come from the National Lottery Community Fund, Sir John Fisher Foundation, Ulverston Town Council, CGP publishers, Walney wind farm, FCC Communities Foundation and Oakmere Homes.
SLDC has worked with the Friends group on the design of the new play area and is managing the build project.
A spokesperson for SLDC said: “Originally we intended to start work building the new play area in April, but as the Covid-19 rules restricted this type of work the contractors were furloughed.
“Now the restrictions have lifted the contractors are able to get on site. They will be working between 8am and 6pm and the existing play area will be closed during the build, although the rest of Lightburn Park will remain open to the public.
“The work is scheduled to be completed by mid-August, but this is very much weather dependent.
“In a few weeks Ulverston will have another fantastic new play area for children to enjoy. It’s unfortunate that we’re having to close the play area so soon after being able to re-open it following the changes in the Covid-19 guidelines, but had we delayed the work further it may have been several months before the contractors were available again to start the build due to their own backlog because of the lockdown restrictions.’’
