A Whitehaven park has been massively revamped thanks to a dedicated community effort.
Jericho Park has been given a full makeover with over £166,000 worth of upgrades, thanks to the tireless efforts of charity group Friends of Jericho Park and local residents, with support from Cumberland Council.
Efforts to remove outdated and unsafe equipment from the park and fully upgrade it following years of underinvestment have been ongoing since May 2024 – after concerns were raised about the condition of the playpark.
It was also identified by the council as one of several playparks in urgent need of refurbishment.
In September, the friends group secured the final £66,000 to support phase two of the project, to replace all remaining outdated equipment in the park and add new features to enhance accessibility.
Helen George, treasurer of the group, said: “The new play area opened just after Easter and has been incredibly popular.
“The funding covered one side of the park, but some equipment dating back to the 1970s remained. We wanted to raise additional funds to replace that too.”
The group has secured the funding from the FCC Community Foundation and Copeland Community Foundation.
Extra improvements including new seating, a new park sign designed by pupils from Jericho Primary school and treats for local children at a community celebration event planned for next year, are also in the pipeline.
These extras are being funded by Albatros Travel, Sellafield Site Project Office Safe Delivery Scheme, and Whitehaven Town Council.
Caroline Hindmarch, chair of the Friends of Jericho Park, said: “What felt like a long journey is finally nearing completion, and the community now has a fantastic asset.”
Work first started on the playpark in May 2024, thanks to funding from Cumberland Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The council partnered with charity group Friends of Jericho Park, which formed in 2023, following a community meeting that voiced concerns about the park’s condition.
In May 2025, the first phase of the project saw the installation of a brand-new £100,000 play area, which opened just after Easter and featured state-of-the-art play equipment.
Cumberland Council worked with Friends of Jericho Park to make sure the design reflected the needs of local residents.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, added: “It’s inspiring to see how the community has come together to give Jericho Park a new lease of life.
“Working closely with Friends of Jericho ensures that the community can help shape the new play park to meet the needs of local residents and will benefit families for years to come.”
