A NEW bespoke play area has opened at a Northwich beauty spot four years after the project was launched.

A team was put together in 2018 to prepare ideas for the improvement of the Marbury Park play area and deliver it on the ground.

There was widspread support for the project following public consultations and a £100,000 grant was secured from the FCC Communities Foundation.

Now the work has been completed, the new play area - which includes new play equipment, picnic tables and outdoor seating - is finally open to the public.

The project was a joint effort between Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM).

Council leader and cabinet member for wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins, said: "After months of hard work, I’m delighted the new Marbury Park Play Area is now open.

"A wonderful ‘story time’ carved seat has been provided by volunteers to create a focal point, it looks fantastic within the newly seeded wildflower zone, which creates a ‘natural play’ area.

"A lovely additional touch is the ‘Marbury Hall’ sign board and ‘Country Club’ crest which provide a historic angle to the play space. I’m sure there will be many very happy children enjoying this play area this summer."

The old play area at Marbury Park had been identified in the borough’s Play Strategy and the council’s Play Improvement Plan as in need of full replacement.

The new facilities include interpretation boards, landscaping, planting, fencing and improved footpath connections, plus new surfaced areas.

These latest improvements are part of a wider strategic plan at the park to improve access throughout much of the area, whilst adding play value and accessibility for more users within a new play area itself.

The play area is themed to offer some interpretation of the history of the site, through play.

The new play area location is a more centrally located site, adjacent to the existing park offices.

This provides the opportunity to make use of adjacent picnic areas, toilet facilities, footpaths and the Marbury Park education hub.

This project was made possible following a successful £100,000 grant from funding body FCC Communities Foundation together with additional funding secured from CWAC.

Additional funding has also made it possible to improve access tracks and routes around and within the park area to bring the whole space a much-needed uplift for accessibility.