Praise for £1m town parks spending plan

A £1 million spending spree on parks and open spaces in Cannock Chase has been praised by leading councillors.

The 15 projects include improvement to major parks in and around the district.

There will be money available for new play areas and clearing overgrown areas. Members of the council's ruling cabinet gave their approval to the schemes which are set to continue into 2009. Among the projects benefiting are improvements totalling £108,000 to Arthur Street play area in Wimblebury.

Ther is also a £25,000 plan to refurbish Bernard Way in Cannock with a new footpath, landscaping and improvements to the play area.

Other projects include £53,000 improvements to Cannock Park; a £304,000 scheme at two play areas off Meadow Way and Hayes Way in Heath Hayes; a £97,000 scheme to landscape and clear Old Hednesford Park; refurbishment of Heath Hayes play area and the Wolseley Road open space in Rugeley and plans to refurb the open air paddling pool in Ravenhill Park, in Brereton.

Councillor Mick Grocott said: "I just love looking at the list of projects and seeing all the improvements and types of work across the whole district. This council is looking after all parts of Cannock Chase and there is not one area missing."

The council claims developing the open spaces and providing new or better play areas will create a more healthy and active community.

Ann Bernard, housing cabinet member who represents Hawks Green said: "I want to say a big thankyou to the council because where there were rundown play areas we are putting new facilities back for the children to play safely and bring out something in them that we can all use in the future."

Leader of the council, Neil Stanley, who is also cabinet member for children and young people and responsible for play areas and parks said: "Almost every ward in the council is benefiting from the parks development programme."

It is one of the council's objectives to increase participation in sports and recreation by an additional one per cent every year and new facilities will encourage physical development and social skills.