New play area opens at Tunstall Victoria Park

Tunstall Victoria Park is a Grade II listed site

Part of a Stoke-on-Trent park has been transformed by the legacy of a Tunstall pottery magnate.

A new play area has been opened at Tunstall Victoria Park which is currently undergoing a number of improvements.

Trampolines and a cable slide have been added to the Grade II listed park.

A trust created for Reginald Johnson, who managed three pottery factories in the town until the late 1960s, has donated £320k towards the costs.

The trust was created by Mr Johnson's wife Margaret who built the fund up over 30 years following his death in 1969.

Mr Johnson's son Patrick said that both he and his mother had "wanted to do something of a lasting and significant nature" in memory of his father who was the former managing director of the Alfred Meakin pottery factories.

"We looked at a number of opportunities and we wanted something that everybody can use."

Graffiti fear

With locals concerned about anti-social behaviour in the park, Mr Johnson added that he hoped the surrounding community would ensure the new developments would not be subject to vandalism.

"The majority of kids respect the facilities they're given and only a minority cause trouble. I'm sure the locals will find a way of dealing with those issues.

"Pride in the community I think is really important but they've got something to shout about now and I think they will look after it.

"I think the kids themselves will say 'no, don't do that, that's not right'.

"They won't allow graffiti. They don't want someone else to spoil their park."

The total cost of the park refurbishment is £615,000 of which the city council has given £142,590 with a further £152,410 granted from fees on property and land development.

Other features in the park include a boathouse, bowls pavilion, clock tower, lodge and community centre, fishing facilities and a full-size football pitch.