What's happening with £925,000 upgrades to York parks

Cllr Jenny Kent (Image: City of York Council)

AN update has been given on the progress of upgrades worth £925,000 to York's parks.

Six of the 19 projects included in the improvement programme approved in October last year are finished and one in Crombie Avenue was due for completion by Monday, September 28.

Early phases of a further three schemes have also been done, according to a City of York Council report set to go before the authority's executive.

Cllr Jenny Kent, the council's environment spokesperson, said real progress had been made on improving York's parks and local families were already benefitting.

It comes as the council's executive is set to discuss updates on the progress of the Park Improvements Fund on Tuesday, October 6.

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Councillors are also set to decide on changes to the spending on some of the schemes.

They will also decide on whether to pause the rebuilding of steps and installing a handrail at the Tenant Road entrance of the Batchelor Hill wildflower meadow in Westfield.

The executive will also be asked to approve a tree planting scheme in children's play areas as part of the White Rose Forest project.

Five further schemes earmarked for further investigation are also set to be shelved until more funding becomes available, subject to the executive's decision on Tuesday.

Those schemes are the remodelling of the Clarence Gardens pavilion, the modernisation of Hull Road Park's pavilion and a ramp at Acomb Green.

Hull Road Park has been awarded a Green Flag (Image: Google Street View)

A path from Heworth Green to Monkbridge Gardens and an accessible route to Arran Place, also known as King George V Playing Fields, were also set for further investigation.

The 19 schemes approved last year remain on track for completion by February, other than the Batchelor Hill project.

Consultations on the schemes have included speaking to more than 1,100 children from ten York primary schools, along with 120 residents.

Accessibility and inclusive equipment including for disabled children was among the feedback, along with requests for quiet spaces and secure gates.

Hull Road Park was also awarded a Green Flag in July, following a council bid made for the accolade in January.

It is hoped the fund, which includes £750,000 in council cash, can be brought up to £925,000 through financial contributions pledged by developers.

Council Environment Executive Member Cllr Kent said officials had listened to children, families and communities who had helped shape the proposals.

The executive member said: "This investment is helping us create greener, healthier neighbourhoods and giving more people the opportunity to spend quality time outside."

Cllr Bob Webb, executive member for children, said he was pleased so many young people had been involved in shaping the projects.

The executive member said: "Their ideas are helping us create fun, welcoming spaces that children of all abilities can enjoy for years to come."

The progress on each of the projects:

Chesney’s Field play area - junior: new equipment, seating, 30m of new linking path - completed.

Chesney’s Field play area - senior: new safety surfacing - phase one complete, two further phases remaining.

Hull Road Park main play area: new equipment, accessible seating - phase one complete, two further phases remaining.

Crombie Avenue play area and adjoining games court: near 100 per cent rebuild with new entrances - due to be completed by Monday, September 28.

Ashton Avenue play area - junior: play equipment and access improvements - yet to be completed.

Acomb Green play area: replacement steps - yet to be completed.

Rowntree Park play area: replacement of 6m-high pyramid climber - yet to be completed.

Brailsford Crescent play area - junior: complete replacement of old equipment - yet to be completed.

Hull Road Park - main footpath by beck: rebuild of 40m footpath - completed.

Glen Gardens basketball court: deal with worn out court surface and replace perimeter fence - yet to be completed.

Batchelor Hill - Tenant Road entrance: rebuild steps and install new handrail - recommendation to pause the scheme.

Cemetery Road play area: replacement of old equipment and landscaping - yet to be completed.

Bell Farm/Byland Avenue open space and play area: create a more coherent space - first section complete.

Hull Road Park - Lions Head area: renew bow top fence and new handrails - complete.

Hull Road Park - Mirfield Avenue boundary: renew perimeter railings and new gate - complete.

Hull Road Park - Mirfield Avenue footpath: upgrade footpath to improve accessibility - complete.

Rowntree Park basketball court: new surface and perimeter - yet to be completed.

Viking Road play area: reclad bridge mound, renewal of old play equipment and access improvements - first phase complete, two further phases remaining.

Cornlands Road open space and play area: new surfaced footpath across site to link play area - complete.