Paths widened in park revamp
REDEVELOPMENT works are continuing at Runcorn Town Park with the widening of paths and the installation of benches.
The £1.4m proposed ‘improvement’ project was launched in 2018 and estimated to take place over four or five years.
Funding has come from the Ineos energy-fromwaste plant fund and landfill tax credits with a view to explore options for gaining grants from the Liverpool City Region.
Much of the park is undergoing works at the moment, with large piles of soil amassing alongside the paths, which are being relaid and widened.
Several benches have also been installed.
It is hoped that revamping Halton’s biggest park will encourage more use and healthier, happier lifestyles.
Key features of a Town Park masterplan unveiled in December 2018 are three ‘hubs’ to be positioned throughout the park.
These consist of a central activity hub at Phoenix Park, a southern adventure hub near the ski slope and miniature railway, and a heritage hub towards Norton Priory.
A BMX track was opened at Phoenix Park last year as part of the project and the nearby cafe was also reopened as ‘CHI cafe’.
The proposed budget for the overall scheme comprises £160,000 to replace and improve the boundary, £355,000 to improve the entrances, £491,000 to repair and ‘improve’ the paths – which appears to include widening them – and create more pavements, improve the signage for £89,000, vegetation clearance and hedge laying for £73,000, crossings for ponds, ditches and brooks at £193,000, and site furniture renewal and refurbishment – which includes the benches, at £45,000.
It is also hoped that defining the park border more clearly will protect it better from future housing development.