PLANS to improve Ashbourne Park are being drawn up following a walk around the grounds.
Friends of Ashbourne Park met at the end of April to consider areas for improvement within the park and Memorial Gardens.
Project leader Sarah Wolfe was joined by representatives from Derbyshire Dales District Council, Ashbourne Partnership and the Royal British Legion Ashbourne Branch in a bid to draw up a plan for improving the facilities and access at the park.
Plans have been drawn up following extensive consultations with individuals and groups across Ashbourne over the past three months.
The two-hour tour of the park has helped to identify priorities for improvement and support for the scheme from the Environment Agency and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has been offered as both groups pledged to work with Friends of Ashbourne Park for improved facilities and a better use of the whole area.
The need to preserve and enhance the current facilities was agreed, as was improved access and on-site amenities for the townsfolk and visitors.
Now, Friends of Ashbourne Park are investigating ways of funding the proposals and an initial application could be submitted to potential funding bodies within the next month.
Mrs Wolfe said: “We have been delighted at the response to our proposals with offers of help and support, not only from local people but from local businesses keen to contribute to the project.” Ideas for the park currently include improvements to entrances as walkways, with additional landscaping in the Memorial Gardens and a possible jogging route around Fishpond Meadows.
Another idea to be discussed is the installation of Ashbourne Park in iron letters on the controversial brick wall which forms the boundary on Park Road and was built by the Environment Agency last year.
Mrs Wolfe added: “The Friends of Ashbourne Park is a group of local people who work with The Ashbourne Partnership and Derbyshire Dales District Council to improve and promote the Memorial Gardens, recreation ground and fishponds as a vibrant local facility for the whole community.” Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Ashbourne Park scheme can contact Mrs Wolfe by telephoning 01335 301145.
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