An exciting new play area and recreation space is underway in Knuzden, thanks to a collaboration between Hyndburn Borough Council and the Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum.

The new recreation space will feature a whole host of activity and play equipment including a ballcourt to complement the play area and provide opportunities for ball sport activities.

A member of the Hyndburn Council Parks Department recently met with [pictured L-R] Local Councillor and Deputy Leader Cllr Haworth, Parks portfolio holder Cllr Smithson and Chair of Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum, Cath Holmes, at the Knuzden site to discuss the plans and the timeframe for completion.

Cllr Steven Smithson, Portfolio Holder for Parks and Open Spaces, said:

“It is a real pleasure to be able to work with the Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum on a project like this. Parks like the one coming to Knuzden are so important for our local communities and this space will be brilliant for families in the surrounding area. Hyndburn Council are proud to be working alongside Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum and I would like to thank them for their help in raising much-needed funding for this project.”

Investment for the project totals £210,000 made up of a grant that the Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum have raised totalling £30,000 and awarded by the Lancashire Environmental Fund. Hyndburn Borough Council have contributed a further £180,000.

Cath Holmes, Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum, said:

“We are delighted to be offered the sum of £30,000 towards the new play area by the Lancashire Environmental Fund. This sort of funding makes a huge impact on what we can put in place for residents, and I cannot wait to see the new facility completed in time for spring. We are continually seeking funding opportunities to improve green spaces across Hyndburn. Improving our outdoor spaces, and access to them, is key to improving wellbeing and quality of life for the community.

“A special thanks goes to the Parks Department team at HBC who led the school consultation, came up with the initial designs and submitted the application via Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum.”

The new play area and ballcourt have been designed in consultation with the local community, including children from the nearby Knuzden St Oswald’s Church of England Primary School. The local schoolchildren from different year groups within the school were asked what they would like to see on the recreation ground to replace the old play area.

Cllr Steven Smithson, continued:

“I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the local community for their involvement in the consultation process, but especially the children and staff from Knuzden Primary School. They brought forward some brilliant ideas about what they want to see and what they would use that have in turn helped to shape this project. After all, these are the opinions that really count for making a project like this reflect what the community feels their area needs.

“I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the local community for their involvement in the consultation process, but especially the children and staff from Knuzden Primary School.” 

The work on the new recreation space is expected to be completed by April 2023. Hyndburn Borough Council and the Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum look forward to sharing more details as the project progresses.