Curly's Corner Shop, the blog!

Friday, September 15, 2006

South Marine Park

Fingers crossed for finance!

I have campaigned on numerous occasions in this blog for the restoration and upgrading of facilities in the South Marine Park, South Shields, for example read here, and here, or here. The trustees of the Heritage Lottery Fund are ready to look at, and hopefully approve, the 5 million pound plan to restore our flagship park to it's former Victorian splendour.

Despite the fact that not all of my suggestions were acted upon, I am satisfied that I played my part in the public consultation exercise and I'm genuinely excited and hopefull that the grant finance will be forthcoming. If approved, work can begin in earnest starting with the rebuilding of the childrens' playground, which is to be moved away from the railtrack and further towards the centre of the green, closer to the picnic areas. Future improvements include the rebuilding of the bandstand adhering to the principles of the original, improved footpaths and walkways, rebuilding and replanting of major flower beds, replanting of shrubbery and trees, improvements to the Lakeshore Railroad, and a major rebuild of the terraces and water features below Seafield Terrace. All being well, the park should be renewed within two years.

For projects such as this I am prepared to support the Council in all of it's efforts, this is not a political matter, but a major tourism attraction for the whole of the Borough, an area where we have fallen behind our neighbours in Gateshead and Sunderland. It is imperative that the application for Lottery funding succeeds, not just for the recreation and leisure purposes of our own residents, but also to attract the spending power of thousands of visitors every year for our local economy.

# posted by Curly : 5:54 pm

Comments:

This sounds like a wonderful project for your city. Quality of life, beauty, enhancement of community and such like arguments can surely be made to rehab/update our communities.

# posted by

Annie : 9:51 pm