£100k winter makeover for Williamson Park play areas

How the play area could look following the makeover.

Lancaster City Council is investing £75,000 which, along with a further £30,000 secured by volunteer group the Friends of Williamson Park from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, will see the play areas transformed from shabby to chic.

There will be a play area dedicated to children under eight years old by the Ashton Memorial and phase one of a separate play area at the bottom of the hill for older children aged eight years and above.

Significant grounds work will be taking place to improve the drainage and improve paths and landscaping to complement the new play equipment. Where possible some of the old equipment will be re-used in other play areas in the district.

Work is due to start in November and the new play areas are scheduled to re-open in the spring.

Coun David Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for parks and open spaces, said: “This has been the busiest year yet for Williamson Park with a record number of visits. Visitors love the park, the grounds and all the improvements that we’ve made over the last few years, but one area that’s regularly commented on is the ‘formal’ play facilities. This latest investment shows we’ve listened to those comments and are making improvements to keep the park’s reputation as one of the best in the north west.”

In addition to the new play areas, improvement works are about to begin on the Edwardian Butterfly House to replace the drainpipes internally and externally.

As a result it will close on November 2, but the Mini Beast Cave, animal garden and bird enclosure will remain open for a reduced entry fee of £1. The zoo keepers will be on hand for additional handling sessions.