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£3 million park project to be considered
4:50pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
A £3 MILLION project to transform a park has moved a step closer to reality.
Lottery bosses have given Bolton Council a £190,000 grant to carry out a feasibility study, which will help prepare Queen's Park's case for a multi-million pound grant.
The cash, from the lottery's Parks for People programme, will pay for the council to work with people who use the Bolton park and partner agencies to develop more detailed plans.
Cllr Elaine Sherrington, executive member with responsibility for parks, welcomed the cash.
"This is great news," she said.
"Queen's Park is already a popular green space right on the edge of the town centre and thanks to investment from the Lottery we can now go ahead and develop these innovative plans further."
If successful, the money would be used to transform the park, including a possible restoration of the historic Dobson Bridge.
The 148-year-old cast-iron bridge stretches over ponds and the River Croal near the park's Spa Road entrance.
Other plans include restoration of the Park Road Lodge and the Chorley New Road entrance, dredging the lakes, a new children's play area, improvements to the ornamental gardens and new pathways.
The lodge, which currently houses a mental health unit, could be refurbished and used as a community centre, offering health and educational facilities.
It may also house a permanent police officer in a bid to cut crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
The council is now working with the Friends of Queen's Park, schools and nearby residents to put together a detailed plan for the improvement of the park. Bolton Lads and Girls Club and Bolton at Home are also involved.
The grade II-listed park opened in May 1866, and was built by unemployed cotton workers during the cotton famine.
Your Say Yourtheboltonnews
billy bob, local says...
5:08pm Wed 7 May 08
Gloria, Bolton says...
5:26pm Wed 7 May 08
We played on the park, fed the ducks, went in the paddling pool, went on the boating lake.
Havent been for many years, but very happy memories
steve, bolton says...
5:34pm Wed 7 May 08
Gloria wrote:Don't forget the tennis courts,beautiful flower beds,friendly park keepers.
I have a lot of very fond memories of Queens Park. My grandad used to take me there when I was little. We played on the park, fed the ducks, went in the paddling pool, went on the boating lake. Havent been for many years, but very happy memories
Gloria don't go back live with your memories because trust me they would become nightmares,the park is a pale shadow of it's former years.
Ali, says...
5:56pm Wed 7 May 08
One memorable time was when me and my brother and sister were rolling down the slopes and I had to walk all the way home covered in dog dirt!
Aah...,happy days!
Sheila, says...
6:06pm Wed 7 May 08
steve wrote:My friends and I spent happy hours playing on and around the structure known as "the pie crust". If it is still there, I hope it is left alone!
Gloria wrote: I have a lot of very fond memories of Queens Park. My grandad used to take me there when I was little. We played on the park, fed the ducks, went in the paddling pool, went on the boating lake. Havent been for many years, but very happy memoriesDon't forget the tennis courts,beautiful flower beds,friendly park keepers. Gloria don't go back live with your memories because trust me they would become nightmares,the park is a pale shadow of it's former years.
BoltonDave, Tonge Moor says...
6:16pm Wed 7 May 08
andrew, Bolton says...
7:39pm Wed 7 May 08
Park keepers were removed from office around 30 years ago. Since then anyone can do what they like in our town's parks. Couple this with removing police from the streets, and there's no way to maintain the order and condition of a public space. Sadly, I fear another £3m would be needed in 10 years' time. Instead let's keep some aside for maintaining the condition and order in the park.
Tommy, says...
12:25am Thu 8 May 08
It's horrible to see its gone to crap now. I have a lot of pride in my Dad who works with the Friends of Queens Park and has obviously fought tooth and nail to actually get something done about it.
Tubby Scruff, says...
8:49am Thu 8 May 08
The grade II-listed park opened in May 1866, and was built by unemployed cotton workers during the cotton famine.
So why not have the unemployed and others, say on Community service assist ?
For some, it would give a great sense of achievement and pride ? It might even help some "change their ways"?
Tubby Scruff, says...
8:51am Thu 8 May 08
Tommy, pass my regards and respects to your Dad.
BoltonDave, Tonge Moor says...
9:11am Thu 8 May 08
Tubby Scruff wrote:Good idea Tubbs, but in my opinion many of the unemployed and criminals don't know the meaning of self pride or achievement which is why they are where they are.
The grade II-listed park opened in May 1866, and was built by unemployed cotton workers during the cotton famine.So why not have the unemployed and others, say on Community service assist ? For some, it would give a great sense of achievement and pride ? It might even help some "change their ways"?
BoltonGirly, halliwell says...
9:48am Thu 8 May 08
Libby H, Horwich says...
12:12pm Thu 8 May 08
Ali wrote:Wouldn't it be lovely if the children of the future had such happy memories of Queens Park, I know that I have and if I close my eyes I can still remember what it felt like to be a child in the 60's and 70's having fun playing in Queens Park. Instead of being so negative and cynical about the cost of this shouldn't we be encouraging anything that gets our children out into the fresh air and enjoying their surroundings. With proper supervision and decent play equipment as well as the pretty parkland maybe we could encourage them to leave their playstations and msn and actually learn to play together and communicate in person.
I have similar memories Gloria. One memorable time was when me and my brother and sister were rolling down the slopes and I had to walk all the way home covered in dog dirt! Aah...,happy days!
Ah well I suppose I can dream !!!!
Libby H, Horwich says...
12:14pm Thu 8 May 08
Libby H wrote:I'm so sorry I quoted the wrong comment I actually meant to quote the more pleasant ones about playing in the park, feeding the ducks and the pie crust.
Ali wrote: I have similar memories Gloria. One memorable time was when me and my brother and sister were rolling down the slopes and I had to walk all the way home covered in dog dirt! Aah...,happy days!Wouldn't it be lovely if the children of the future had such happy memories of Queens Park, I know that I have and if I close my eyes I can still remember what it felt like to be a child in the 60's and 70's having fun playing in Queens Park. Instead of being so negative and cynical about the cost of this shouldn't we be encouraging anything that gets our children out into the fresh air and enjoying their surroundings. With proper supervision and decent play equipment as well as the pretty parkland maybe we could encourage them to leave their playstations and msn and actually learn to play together and communicate in person. Ah well I suppose I can dream !!!!
Libby H, Horwich says...
12:17pm Thu 8 May 08
Libby H wrote:I'm so sorry i quoted the wrong comment i actually meant to quote the one about playing in the park and the paddling pool etc along with the one about the pie crust.
Ali wrote: I have similar memories Gloria. One memorable time was when me and my brother and sister were rolling down the slopes and I had to walk all the way home covered in dog dirt! Aah...,happy days!Wouldn't it be lovely if the children of the future had such happy memories of Queens Park, I know that I have and if I close my eyes I can still remember what it felt like to be a child in the 60's and 70's having fun playing in Queens Park. Instead of being so negative and cynical about the cost of this shouldn't we be encouraging anything that gets our children out into the fresh air and enjoying their surroundings. With proper supervision and decent play equipment as well as the pretty parkland maybe we could encourage them to leave their playstations and msn and actually learn to play together and communicate in person. Ah well I suppose I can dream !!!!
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steve, bolton says...
4:59pm Wed 7 May 08