Skate area just another addition to Whitby Park.

Teenagers in Ellesmere Port are the just latest to benefit from the ongoing developments of Whitby Park.

The new “wheelspark” is designed to keep local children off the streets and give them somewhere to practise their BMX biking, in-line skating and skate boarding skills.

This area is just another addition to a long list of changes that the people of Ellesmere Port have seen in recent years. Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council was granted funds after a successful application to the Heritage Lottery board in 2002. Developments in the park are now coming to an end.

The introduction of the climbing boulder and the regeneration of the multi games area are all part of the plan to help reduce the problem of “gangs” on the streets. The new “wheels park” is already a play area for graffiti artists. But, parks development officer Mary Lavery explained: “There has been very little trouble since the park opened. The police regularly petrol the park.” The council have also installed cameras as a deterrent.

The new ‘youth area’ of the park will be used for planned events. “Sports Frenzy” runs through school holidays and is aimed to keep 7 to16 year olds active and entertained.

Whitby Park used to be the stately home and gardens to the Grace Family, but is now the main area of open space in Ellesmere Port. It was not long ago that the park was little other than an area to walk dogs. Although, the council website highlights the strong policy now in place. “Dogs are welcome in the park but you must clean up after your dog - dog bins are installed.”

Other areas of the park have also been focused on. In 2003, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council received more than a million pounds of National Heritage Lottery Funding to restore some of the parks more historic features.

Whitby Hall was left derelict after the council moved out of the hall to bigger offices in the early 90’s. But it has now been taken over by community theatre group “Action Transport Theatre.” And in 2003, the hall was restored to a much better state. The old stables of the former stately home to the Grace Family have also been restored and are now the offices of Labour MP for the area, Andrew Miller.

Parks development office Mary Lavery said: “We are hoping to submit Whitby Park for Green Flag status next year. This is the national benchmark for parks.” With gardeners on site most days the park is well looked after.

The park is one of Ellesmere Port’s best used facilities, with a children’s play area and football pitches that are used to host an ever growing Sunday league. The space is also used by many of the local schools to aid learning. The pond and the “air watch” nature trail are popular for school trips.

The nature trail is a selection of artwork, a sample of which can be seen in the slide show, created by artist Steve Des Landes. It is designed to teach children to monitor their carbon footprint and therefore reduce air pollution. The trail is also a way to keep fit, three times around is more than a miles walk.

Planned walks take place every week around the park. The council have also introduced a free bike scheme where people can hire bikes and take a ride around Ellesmere Port, with a guide. There also events planned for the ‘wheelspark.’
Whitby Park has seen a lot of regeneration and redevelopment in recent years thanks to the National Heritage Lottery Funding. It is now down to the people of Ellesmere Port to make sure that it is looked after and used well.