September 2023 - Why are contractors working in the park?

The "masterplan project" has been made possible thanks to successful funding applications from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Lancashire Environmental Fund and Hyndburn Borough Council Levelling up Fund.

The masterplan project includes the following elements:-

The War Memorial - to include cleaning, repairs, stablising the stone plinth, restoring faded lettering and the addition of missing names.  This work will be caaried out under the advice of a Heritage Consultant to ensure best practice. The paths around the Cenotaph to be completly remade and resurfaced to a high standard. The stone walls at the rear of the Cenotaph will be repaired and any missing coping stones and finial replaced.  Working with the community the flower beds will be rationised and replanted with a range of sensory plants and grasses to give year round interest.  Steps on the Eastern side to remain and leading to shaded quite path.

Woodland Paths - Suitable boardwalk sections to be installed over wet areas of gound in sensitive woodland area , following guidance from ecologists.  The Friends od Memorial Park commissioned a report by The Wildlife Trust on the "Round Wood" in March 2005.  Copies of this report are held by the group.

Entrance from Hindle Fold Lane:- Improved pedestrian acccess from Hindle Fold Lane to make it safer and more accessable.

Forest School:-   The project will provide opportunities within the Round Wood for a forest school..  No native Rhododendrons within the wood to be treated and removed.

Interpretation Boards:-  Two new boards to be installed at stategic locations within the park to inform visitors and provide links to the Friends Web Site using QR codes.  A bounder will be positioned ajacent to the pavillion on playing field giving directions and distances to local landmarks.

Nature Trail:- Nature themed timberway markers or finger posts to be places around the park to encourage exploration and excercise.  These may be linked to the Web Site using QR codes to dowmload a map and learn more about biodiversity within the park

Woodland Boundary Railings:- replacemement of boundary railings along eastern side boundary around woodland with estate style fencing.

Raised Circular Tree Beds:-  Existing raised stone beds to be sensitively rebuilt following advice from arboriculturalist to prevent damage to trees.

Re Suirfacing:-  Paths around the Cenotaph and within the park to be resurfaced and made good where required focussing on priority paths in poorest condition.

Wlidflowers:- communities and groups to be involved in plasnting spring bulbs and wildflower meadow plugs around the park to create swaithes of colour at different times of the year,

Working with Local Schools:- Providing specific resources to enable local school children to research the history of the park and War Memorial.  These to include lession plans, building bird and bat boxes and creatuing decorative and inforative artwork for display within the park during renovation work.