The £85,000 improvements planned for Hartlepool's Burn Valley Gardens

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Burn Valley Gardens has been selected by Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs to benefit from the cash allocated as part of the Levelling Up Parks Fund.

It will be used to provide an interactive trail encouraging people to walk round the park, a sensory maze, natural play equipment, community social spaces and new tree planting.

Councillors at the latest meeting of the council’s adult and community based services committee unanimously supported the proposals.

Burn Valley Gardens is to receive significant improvements courtesy of an £85,000 government grant.

Councillor Jonathan Brash, who worked with Burn Valley North Residents’ Association to help secure £25,223 for the park last year, said he “absolutely welcomed” the latest funding.

The Burn Valley representative added: “I feel like I’ve spent a large percentage of my adult life doing things around the Burn Valley Gardens to try and improve it, so it means an enormous amount to me.”

Councillor Sue Little, vice chair of the committee, said she was “really excited” to see the improvements and hopes children in Hartlepool will be involved in the project, such as planting trees.

She added: “Once people have that pride, they won’t ruin it, that’s what I personally believe.”

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Council officers warned the park has suffered from vandalism and antisocial behaviour previously, with the most recent play equipment installed suffering an arson attack “within weeks” of installation.

Therefore considerations have been made with regards to the materials used and equipment to be provided.

According to council chiefs, the aim of the funding is to increase access to quality green spaces in deprived open areas, and engagement has been carried out with communities over the projects.

Burn Valley Gardens was the “the closest green space bordered by the most deprived areas” and the second most used park in the town, after Ward Jackson Park.

Of the £85,000 allocated by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, up to £47,500 will be capital funding for creation or improvement of the park.

Meanwhile up to £19,000 will be for tree planting and related costs and up to £18,500 will be revenue funding for project preparation, creation and maintenance.

The council is required to utilise the funding fully by 31 March 2023.