Families celebrate new park facilities
FAMILIES turned out for the opening of new leisure facilities which are part of efforts to return South Park to its former glory.
Hundreds attended a fun day as the South Park Action Station was unveiled with five new adult tennis courts, three junior tennis courts, a multi-use games area, picnic area and outdoor gym.
It comes after a £223,000 investment by Cheshire East, including £49,000 from charity Wren, and is part of major improvements at the park which was gifted to the people of Macclesfield many years ago.
Residents formed a group called S: Park to upgrade the park to its former glory with a view to holding centenary events in 2022 showing a park ready for the next 100 years.
They are working with Cheshire East council, police and schools.
As well as the new leisure area, the lake is being dredged to remove excess silt, oxygenate the water and create new banks.
Tim Jones, 34, a director of S:Park and landlord at the nearby Park Tavern with his partner Rebecca Prunty, said: “The fun day was fantastic with lots of families enjoying themselves. We are chuffed to bits to see the Action Station finished. The park is improving every day.
“It was given to the people of Macclesfield but has fallen into disarray so we want to get it back to its former glory.”
The de-silting is on target to be completed by Friday, September 16 and contractors will return in the spring to carry out planting around the embankment. The lake clean-up is an £190,000 investment by the council.
Cheshire East leader Rachel Bailey, who opened the revamped Action Zone, said: “Cheshire East is investing in all its parks. It is fundamental business for councils to invest in space for families from all walks of life to enjoy.”
The opening of the Action Zone rounded off a series of family fun days in Macclesfield during the summer. More than 30 organisations got involved in the activities.