Launch event for centenary park improvements
People will be invited to celebrate an amazing £1.8 million restoration programme with an event at Steven’s Park in Quarry Bank next month.
The event will mark the park’s centenary and officially showcase impressive new facilities on Wednesday 27 October at 1pm, with The Mayor of Dudley cutting a ribbon on Tintern House at 1.30pm.
Recent works have been made possible after Dudley Council and the Friends of Stevens Park successfully applied for £1.4million of Parks for People (Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund) funding.
There has been a revolutionary restoration and extension at Tintern House, formerly known as the White House, where a new community café, toilets and meeting rooms are all now open to the public.
The Emily Jordan Foundation Projects, a charity working to support people with learning disabilities, is also based in the building and is actively seeking trainees for its projects. Opportunities including horticultural training opportunities and a bike recycling workshop, are available to support people with learning disabilities to move closer towards work.
In the park the drives have been resurfaced and new footpaths constructed to enhance the visitor experience.
The main entrance gates have been restored and essential repair works have been carried out to the bandstand, where the original colour scheme is being investigated prior to planned redecoration.
In the Peace Gardens the memorial statue has been repaired and the plaques and walls have been cleaned. A new ramped access path is nearing completion.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said:
It has been an honour to work with the Friends of Stevens Park to make this project such a huge success.
Our parks are treasured spaces in the heart of our communities and I am delighted the restoration of Tintern House is complete and other areas of Stevens Park have seen such wonderful improvements for the benefit of everyone.
The Tintern House renovation has created such a fantastic space for the community, we’re delighted the Emily Jordan Foundation and local community groups are now utilising it.
During my recent visit it was also great to see how the heritage works are helping visitors to connect to the park’s fascinating and vibrant past and I look forward to celebrating the centenary next month.
David Sparks, chair of Friends of Stevens Park, said:
The refurbishments have been such a radical improvement that they have resulted in the rebirth of the Park. The change is truly historic.
The Friends of Stevens Park Quarry Bank is made up of volunteers in the local community. People can find out more on how to get involved at www.facebook.com/parkquarrybank/