With spring finally here it’s time to get out and about with the best that our local parks have to offer.
The council wants to remind residents about the borough’s fantastic parks and the wide range of free activities they offer for all ages, from visiting the play area at Moss Bank Park, to feeding maize to the ducks at Moses Gate, or taking a leisurely stroll around the Victorian splendour of Queens Park.
Queens Park, a five minute walk from Bolton Town Centre, was opened in 1886 during the reign of Queen Victoria and has now been restored and enhanced, working sympathetically with its original Victorian design, as part of a £5.3m project funded by Bolton Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The lakes were dredged, walls and the fountain re-instated, drainage and footpaths improved and a new café and play area were installed. In addition the council refurbished the tennis court and multi-use games area and installed a popular outdoor gym.
The park was recently awarded the prestigious Green Flag award following its restoration and redevelopment.
Activities which take part at the park include a weekly junior parkrun, and walking group.
Moss Bank Park is one of Bolton’s most popular parks with its wide open spaces for picnics, games and play. It has a redeveloped play area with a sand pit, which is very popular with children in the summer months, when the mini railway and children’s rides will also be available (end of May to September, charges apply). The tennis courts are free to use with taster sessions available. The new café, opened in 2015, serves tea, coffee, ice cream and cakes.
Residents looking for a longer walk can visit the 750 acre Moses Gate Country Park, which includes a play area, lakes with ducks and geese, lodges for bird watching and refreshments from an ice cream van in the summer months.
For the more active, Leverhulme Park has a wide range of facilities including a running track, sports pitches and extensive open spaces and trails through the Local Nature Reserve along the River Croal. It hosts the weekly free 5k Parkrun every Saturday at 9am from the athletics track.
There are 27 parks around the borough with a wide range of attractions. A number of smaller parks around the borough feature activities – the ABC Park off Nottingham Drive, and Willows Park have activities for four to 12 year olds every Wednesday at 3.45pm.
Councillor Anne Marie Watters, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Community Services said: “We are incredibly lucky in this Borough to have so many fantastic parks and open spaces, and now that spring is on the way, we want to encourage all residents to get out and enjoy all of the wonderful parks that are on their doorstep.
“Whether you’re looking to get fit, amuse children, or simply have a quiet, peaceful walk in the sunshine to recharge your mind, our beautiful parks really do have something for everyone.”
To find out more about what is happening go to: http://www.visitbolton.com/whatson