(Image: North Tyneside Council)
A community group has received funding to support its work improving a much-loved park.
The Friends of Chirton Dene Park in North Shields will benefit from a share of funding secured by North Tyneside Council through Northern Powergrid’s Social Impact Programme.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Chirton Dene Park said: "This is the result of our growing partnership with North Tyneside Council and in particular the great staff working in Chirton Dene Park and we are sincerely grateful to Northern Powergrid and the council for their support."
The funding will be used to purchase tools and equipment for environmental projects, volunteer support and wildlife conservation.
Plans include creating wildflower meadows, planting aquatic species, clearing watercourses and running community gardening sessions.
Other activities will include regular volunteer events aimed at improving biodiversity and making the park more enjoyable for visitors.
Councillor Hannah Johnson, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "The Friends of Chirton Dene Park do a fantastic job caring for and improving this valued community green space, and this funding is a real boost for their efforts.
"The group has already made a positive difference to the park, and this investment will help them build on that success, attract more volunteers and deliver even more improvements for local people."
The grant will also provide essential resources such as gardening tools, gloves, litter-picking equipment and storage.
Additional items include high-visibility tabards, banners and a community noticeboard.
The group believes the funding will help them involve more people in looking after the park.
A spokesperson for the Friends group said: "The grant will help us to get more volunteers actively involved in caring for Chirton Dene Park.
"It will give us the equipment to run sessions at times that suit volunteers and respond to the park’s needs at short notice, without having to borrow council equipment or rely on staff being available."
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They added: "It’s a huge boost for everyone who has already given their time and energy to the park.
"Watch out for upcoming activities, such as workshops to make water-purifying plant rolls and launch them into the waterways, paint bird and bat boxes for the park, and regular litter picks and bulb and plant planting sessions.
"This is just the beginning for the Friends of Chirton Dene Park."