Burnley park pump track proves popular

Plans were drawn up earlier this year to create the track as part of wider improvements at Calder Park involving local residents supported by Burnley Council. Campaigners have worked tirelessly to help improve the park off Pendle Way in Ightenhill, adjacent to the River Calder, including raising money to help fund the new track. Coun. John Harbour, the council’s executive member for housing and environment, said: “Local residents have worked closely with the council’s greenspaces team to create a great place for people of all ages to enjoy. “The pump track is regularly used by children and young adults alike and it blends in really well with the rest of the park. There’s still some finishing touches to be completed but it’s already proving popular. It’s an excellent example of the council working with residents to improve their area and make a really positive difference in their local community.” The Friends of Calder Park are delighted with their achievement and have released a video of the park on the group’s Facebook page. Residents met on-site with council chief executive Mick Cartledge and ward councillors to talk about the next phase of work, improving footpaths to make the park more accessible. Kirsty Carter, chairman of the Friends group, said: “The Friends group was set up by three local working mums with the aim of making Calder Park somewhere that got children outdoors, and active, happy and healthy. With the help of Burnley Council we’ve achieved that and it’s a great asset for the area.” The full cost of the scheme is £13,462, of which the Friends of Calder Park raised £11,463 and the council contributed the remainder. The Friends of Calder Park have also funded improvements to the play area with a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund – Awards for All and £3,700 from Burnley Council’s ward opportunities fund which paid for new and exciting play equipment, including a zip-line, cantilever swing and a roundabout. The council is working with the group as part of the authority’s borough-wide green space strategy.