Park hits the jackpot

THE parkland will undergo a £1 million restoration

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£1m lottery award for Dunwood revamp

DUNWOOD Park is set for a million-pound makeover thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Oldham Council has been awarded £1,093,000 following a successful Parks for People bid to transform the Shaw beauty spot.

The bid has also been supported by £270,000 from Oldham Council’s capital programme.

Created in 1912 to give the local community and mill workers access to a healthy environment and green space, the park is in need of a full restoration as it approaches its centenary.

The money will now be spent on extensively rebuilding facilities while retaining the character and familiar features of the original.

Existing attractions, such as the bowling green, pavilion, play area, tennis courts, parking areas, gardens and woodland walks will be kept and refurbished.

New features, including a community meeting room, extra toilets and adventure play facilities will be added.

The new-look park will provide opportunities for education and training, while there will be activities linked to the planning, design, construction and subsequent management of the park not seen before in similar schemes.

The local community, including The Friends’ of Dunwood Park group, have been involved at every stage of the bid and planning process dating back to 2002.

Chairman Mike McGrother said: “The Friends of Dunwood Park are naturally delighted that their efforts have finally borne fruit.

“With the provision of new and better facilities we will continue to promote the development of the park as a living community.

“But just as before, we cannot do this on our own.

“We invite everyone now to be part of the future of Dunwood Park.”

Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North-West, said: “Now the clocks have gone forward and spring is here, it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy our many wonderful public parks.

“We should all remember that parks need constant care and attention, often relying heavily on voluntary support and continued investment.

“HLF and the Big Lottery Fund recognise this and are proud to play a key role in supporting Dunwood Park which is such an important part of both the heritage and current life of Oldham.”