Lord Mayor opens new park in Page Hall

Story & photos: Ivor Wallace

The first project of the regeneration of Page Hall is completed as the Lord Mayor officially opens the Wensley and Wade Street green space.

The Lord Mayor arrived at 10:00 am prompt, it may have been too early for some residents but as soon the music began to play people started to come out into the beautiful sunshine. With a balloon artist creating multicoloured hats, swords and animals, the children were squealing with delight. There was a long queue for the services of the face painter and the coffee and tea were flowing.

Two years after consultation with the residents, this green has been transformed from a bland and dismal area to a bright open space with modern stainless steel seating and litter bins, new cast iron bollards, new style lamp posts, seven new trees, climbing foliage on the railings and brand new bound resin paths really are setting the standard for the area.

Two marquees held information for the next stage of the regeneration programme, it invited residents to have their say on the initial designs for the Wade Street homezone and also where else in the area it can be extended. There was a cautious air of optimism as residents began to enjoy their new facilities. Hannah Gibbins, a member of the East Regeneration Team, found it difficult to contain her excitement:

“Having been involved from the very beginning I just think it’s so fantastic to see the first job completed, I just can’t stop smiling.”