City's parks and open spaces set for £750k boost

If proposed improvements are approved, railings and footpaths will be upgraded in York's Hull Road park

A total of 19 parks and open spaces in York are set to benefit from a share of a £750,000 improvement fund.

If councillors give the go-ahead to the first tranche of spending, it would see upgrades to footpaths and play and games areas and the replacement of ageing equipment.

City of York Council officers drew up the list of places needing improvement after an assessment of over 70 sites and schemes, with the list including Hull Road Park in Tang Hall, parts of Rowntree Park and the Acomb Green play area.

Councillor Jenny Kent, environment spokesperson for City of York Council, said the funding was part of efforts to make the city's parks "fun, beautiful and welcoming for all".

The selection of parks set to benefit, subject to councillors approving the choices, follows the creation of a £500,000 fund in the authority's budget for this year.

A new playing surface is part of improvements planned for a basketball court in York's Rowntree Park

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, contributions from outside the council had since taken the amount up to almost £750,000.

A council report stated there was the potential for it to reach about £925,000, if money pledged by developers was included.

A report to be considered by councillors stated that parks were scored based on the levels of deprivation in the areas they were located, the age of equipment and the potential for improvements to keep, or be awarded, Green Flag status.

Kent explained: "We are improving our oldest play equipment and creating spaces that bring people of all ages and ability together, whether to sit quietly in nature, meet people, play or exercise.

"We know our parks and green spaces can be thriving hubs for everyone."

Councillors were expected to discuss the proposals on Tuesday, with a final funding decision due to be made by in early October.

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