Village playground back open following £50k refurbishment Park has been under council control since First World War
A NEW playground has been opened after undergoing a £50,000 refurbishment project.
The newly refurbished playground on Station Road in Endon, was officially opened to the public on April 30.
Endon with Stanley Parish Council councillors Selena Carey, Val Harris, Christina Jebb, John Sambrook and Suzanne Sillitoe worked with Endon Park Regeneration Project to design a new playground for children under 12.
The project was led by a dedicated, innovative and energetic group of mums Janina Barnett, Holly Bull, Zoe Carrier, Lisa Jennings and Dawn Porter-hargreaves. In less than two years they have raised more than £30,000 to fund the project with the total cost made up by the parish council.
On Friday, April 30, the refurbished playground was officially opened in a very careful and socially distanced manner.
Parish councillors and fundraisers gathered by invitation for this long awaited event.
More equipment and picnic furniture is still to be delivered, hopefully by the end of May, but the council felt that the ground should be opened and enjoyed.
The playground, a First World War Memorial, has been in care of the parish council for almost 100 years.
During this time several refurbishments have taken place.
However, the latest facelift has been quite extensive with every effort made to design the area to be as inclusive as possible on quite a modest budget.
Speaking at the opening, chairman of the parish council Suzanne Sillitoe, said: “Welcome to the new Memorial Park. Our new sign at the gate lists some of the key players who have contributed to this refurbishment of which we are so proud.
“There are some added extras on the way due to the generosity of Councillor Christina Jebb and the extraordinary sum donated from Corrin and Oliver Vincent in memory of Dennis a dear husband and father.
“In the coming weeks we can expect new picnic tables and benches, interactive play boards and of course we have had goal posts installed.
“The vertical planter came from a sustainability grant and it’s hoped that schools and community groups will maintain it with plants grown in peat free compost which we are promoting.
“The parish council has purchased the dolphin bin to encourage youngsters to participate in our anti litter campaign but the dolphin is also a sign of rebirth and regeneration which is what we are here to celebrate.”
This park, a memorial to those who fought in WWI, was gifted to the parish council in the early 1920s as a community recreation ground.
For almost 100 years, the parish council has maintained it and from time to time refurbished it. However, it’s funds are limited.
Suzanne continued: “However, during the 2018 Well Dressing I walked down Brook Lane with Janina and we discussed the need to refurbish this well loved but tired old park.
“Very soon afterwards Endon Park Regeneration Project was born and the community was coaxed into supporting a truly mammoth fundraising campaign.
“Together with funds from and regular collaboration with the parish council, here we.
“So much of the credit and commitment for making this dream come true must go to Dawn, Lisa, Zoe, Holly and of course Janina.
“Ladies on behalf of the parish council, the community and most of all a new generation of children an absolutely massive thank you.”
The Endon Well Dressing Queen Maddison Barnett cut the ribbon to officially open the new playground and to let the play begin.