Funding to transform park a 'huge boost'

A community group says funding to help transform a park is a "huge boost" for the project.

North Shields-based Friends of Chirton Dene Park will receive a £19,000 grant to help purchase tools and deliver projects to enhance the area, support volunteers and improve local biodiversity.

The group will benefit from a share of funding secured by North Tyneside Council through Northern Powergrid's Social Impact Programme.

Plans for Chirton Dene Park include creating wildflower meadows, planting aquatic species, clearing watercourses and running community gardening sessions and volunteer events.

A spokesperson for the group said it was hoped the grant would get more volunteers "actively involved in caring" for the park.

"It will give us the equipment to run sessions at times that suit volunteers and respond to the park's needs at short notice, without having to borrow council equipment or rely on staff being available," they said.

"It's a huge boost for everyone who has already given their time and energy to the park."

The grant will also go towards gardening tools, gloves, litter-picking equipment, storage, high-visibility tabards, banners and a community noticeboard.

The group says funding will help it put on activities such as workshops to make water-purifying plant rolls, bird and bat box painting and bulb and planting sessions.

Labour cabinet member for neighbourhoods Hannah Johnson said: "The Friends of Chirton Dene Park do a fantastic job caring for and improving this valued community green space.

"The group has already made a positive difference to the park, and this investment will help them build on that success, attract more volunteers and deliver even more improvements for local people."

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