A suitably grand entrance now leads the way into Bolton's oldest park reflecting its rich heritage.

A new Victorian style gateway has been installed at Farnworth Park, a Grade II listed park, at the prominent Albert Road and Gladstone Road junction.

The design was inspired by illustrations on old postcards and now the entrance has new Victorian stone columns leading into it.

Ward councillor Cllr Paul Sanders said: “The council's superb Landscape Architect found the stone plinths in a reclamation yard in Accrington.

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“Stonemasons, Bolton Stone, turned the vision into a reality. 

“This now handsome entrance is more in-keeping with our Victorian park's heritage, Grade II listing, and the conservation area at Green Side/Green Street.

“For several decades, this entrance has been somewhat nondescript, simply with late 20th-century precast concrete bollards.”

Cllr Sanders says that research of the archives showed that there was a more formal park entranceway in the past at this location.

The Bolton News: Access has also been made slightly wider for electric mobility scooters and wider wheelchairs, as well as the surface water drainage issue being improved.

Cllr Sanders said: “The response from locals has been hugely positive, with many saying it's great to see our park being the shown love and attention it truly deserves once again.”

Farnworth Park officially opened in 1864, which was a gift from Thomas Barnes to the people of Farnworth.

Thomas Barnes was a local industrialist, politician and philanthropist and believed that people, especially children, should have access to clean air and nature within Victorian Farnworth.

Farnworth Park is loved by the people of Farnworth and Kearsley and according to Cllr Sanders many childhood memories and family moments are associated with this special place.

The Bolton News: The park saw a general decline in the last number of decades which is why Cllr Sanders, alongside fellow Farnworth and Kearsley First councillors, decided to invest into the Grade II Listed Park with heritage improvements.

So far, the park has seen new benches, new wildlife, pathways, bins, urns, an investment of £40,000 in renovating the popular children’s play area and much more.

For more background information on the historical park, visit the official Historic England site.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.