Revamp of Preston parks set for kick off

Eric Wright Civil Engineering will begin work this month at Moor Park and Waverley Park, both given the green light for an overhaul last year.

Moor Park, the city’s oldest park, is grade two*-listed and will undergo a £4m programme of improvements, and Waverley Park a £2.7m programme.

The work comes under the Active Preston banner, part of the city’s £20m Levelling Up Fund bid. Planner Smith & Love is advising.

Preparatory works at Moor Park, including the removal of shrubbery and trees around the lake, have been completed.

Moor Park improvements

• Extension and de-silting of Serpentine Lake returning it to its original Victorian era condition
• Reinstatement of a new bridge across the lake, historically sympathetic to the original Victorian structure
• Improvements to the loggia and surrounding area (on the northern edges of the lake)
• Tree and shrub planting
• Full renovation of the changing pavilion
• Groundworks to create wildflower meadows
• Improvements to the south-east entrance and car park
• Refurbishment of the original stonework at the southeast entrance
• Remediation and reinstatement of the football pitches.

Works are expected to take until the winter months of this year. The rest of the park will remain open and accessible.

Cllr Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: “We are committed to improving green public spaces for our communities and to make it easier for our residents to keep fit and stay well and healthy, local to where they live.

“We are lucky to have so many green spaces and parks across Preston and we want to make them as good as we can with the funding we have available this year. We know that both Moor Park and Waverley Park are really important to local residents.

“We apologise for any closures whilst the works are underway, but it won’t be long before the parks will be in use again, more attractive and usable for everyone to enjoy.”

Waverley Park improvements

• New play area
• Refurbishment of three football pitches
• A pump track
• Remodelling of car park with 12 new car parking spaces, meaning 32 spaces in total
• Widening footpaths and new landscaping
• Demolition and rebuild of the football pavilion.

Works will start in late April and complete in winter. The park will be out of use during the works.

Gavin Hulme, managing director of Eric Wright’s civils arm, said: “The works will enhance the quality, accessibility and long-term sustainability of these much-loved green spaces, while carefully respecting their historic significance.

“Our team will be working closely with the council to minimise disruption wherever possible, and ensure the projects are delivered efficiently so that residents and visitors can enjoy the improved facilities for many years to come.”