The future’s looking bright for one of the borough’s best loved parks.
Inspectors visited Jubilee Park in Ashton in Makerfield recently to see if it qualifies for a prestigious national Green Flag award.
The colourful oasis is justly famous for its glorious flower beds and as a haven of peace and tranquillity.
But there’s another side to the park: quite simply, it’s the best place in town for people to be active and hold events.
And now, thanks to local councillors and Ashton and Bryn Township Forum, this aspect is set to get a much needed boost.
Extensive consultation with local residents has led to a blueprint for improvements. The ambitious wish list includes new play facilities, a multi use games area, skateboard facility, bandstand, events area, extra tennis/hard standing and improvements to the woodlands and pavilion.
Some £30,000 is already in place to make a start on a new play area and more is expected as new funds come on stream this year.
Recent work has included a new path and landscaping, resurfaced events area and a ‘rebound’ wall for kicking balls against.
Young people have got involved in litter picks and potting up plants for local care homes, while council youth workers and the police have been working hard to reduce problem behaviour.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust has declared Jubilee Park to be one of its flagship parks and together with the township forum has now set up the Friends of Jubilee Park – a group of interested local residents who want to play an active role in making things happen.
Friends chairman John Bolger says: “We have great plans for the park – if you care for it as much as we do, why not join us?”
The group’s annual general meeting is on 6 July at 7pm in the Methodist Church Hall on Queens Road.
To get involved, contact township manager Malcolm Coe on 01942 486643 or email Malcolm Coe
