£20,000 revamp completed on Wakefield's Manygates Park

It is part of the council’s Investment in Parks and Public Open Spaces programme that will see upgrades to a number of urban parks in the district to meet the needs and aspirations of residents and visitors.

The money at Manygates was spent on upgrading fence panels and gates, paint, and no dogs signage, as well as improved play equipment, safety surface installation and renewing line markings.

Coun Jack Hemingway, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Green Spaces, said: “The new and improved facilities at the park look absolutely fantastic and will be great for the local community. As part of the bid process, we consulted with local people and this is what they told us they wanted so I am delighted with the outcome.

“We know that play areas and parks have become even more important to people as we live with ongoing restrictions and it is wonderful to be able to invest in our green spaces to make them even more enjoyable for local communities.

“This is a fantastic example of how the community, local councillors and the Council can work together to improve life for local people.”

The council has supported the scheme to secure almost £20k from Local Capital Grants.

The Local Capital Grants programme sees £50,000 allocated, annually, to each of the Council’s 21 wards to fund projects that will improve the lives of local residents.

The project has been supported by local ward councillors in the Wakefield East ward – Cllr Ros Lund, Cllr Olivia Rowley and Cllr Stuart Heptinstall.

The Investment in Parks and Public Open Spaces programme extends beyond physical refurbishment. When other aspects become fully operational, there will be an array of exciting activity which would include a mix of things such as programmes to improve mental health and well-being, promote culture, history and heritage, respond to the climate change and biodiversity challenge and involve inclusive community engagement.