Park life set to return to its former glory

An ambitious scheme to spruce up Queen's Park off Spa Road will be finely tuned and go before National Lottery chiefs in the autumn.

The multi-million-pound bid is being drawn up to relandscape the sprawling grassland which was once the town's pride and joy.

John Shepley, deputy director of education and culture at Bolton Council, admitted that Queen's Park is in need of urgent attention.

Mr Shepley revealed that a multi-million lottery bid will be lodged by the council by the end of the year.

If the project is successful, the park could be completely re-styled to become more family-friendly to bring it back to its post-war glory days.

The pathways, fencing and facilities will be all be replaced but exact details of the scheme have yet to be finalised.

Queen's Park, close to the town centre, used to boast a museum, band stand and butteryfly world.

But now, these attractions are gone and some parents have criticised the park for being too isolated -- with a number of muggings taking place over the years.

In its heydey, the park used to be packed out with crowds of Boltonians enjoying a variety of entertainment.

But today, it is largely deserted.

Bolton's parks were once bursting with life as children and families enjoyed an affordable day out.

But today they are empty -- despite being in well kept condition by the town's council.

Play areas have come under fire for being decayed and neglected -- but Bolton's parklands seem to be well up to scratch fitted out with the most up-to-date play equipment and safety surfaces.

Bolton Council ring-fenced their parks budget last year making sure the £2 million a year was not sacrificed as part of the sweeping cash cuts.

Yet, on a sunny August day, a BEN reporter and photographer toured the children's play areas finding only a handful of youngsters enjoying an afternoon on the swings, slides and roundabouts.

Mr Shepley, who showed surprise that the remainder of the parks are not being used, said: "You were obviously not in the parks when we had an event planned. They are also busier late afternoons and weekends."

However, Moss Bank Park continues to attract families with giant bouncy castles and a host of activities for adults and children.

Mum Ann Horrocks, of Belmont, was enjoying a day out at Moss Bank Park with her son and nephew. She said: "People come here from all over Bolton. They ignore their own parks and come down here.

"It is definitely a focal point now. I used to live in Little Lever and the only park there was always being vandalised with teenagers drinking and taking drugs.

"There is everything that we need in Moss Bank Park from the swings, to the animals -- big open spaces and tennis courts."

Mr Philip Thompson, a grandad from Little Lever, backed up Mrs Horrock's claims that the Mytham Road park, Little Lever, was always being wrecked by teenagers.

Mr Thompson, visiting the park with his grandchildren, pointed to the safety surface -- made from a sponge-like material to prevent head injuries -- which had been chipped away by the youths.

Children also pointed to where the rocking horses used to be -- with stumps just remaining and the horses long gone.

Mr Thompson said: "It's a crying shame that youths can wreck this park and spoil it for the other children."