Hartlepool Borough Council has announced a number of planned improvements to Rossmere Park, with funding now secured for a programme of investment to enhance one of the borough's most valued parks.
The park was the subject of heightened public attention over the summer following reports of anti-social behaviour. Since then, work has been taking place to identify a range of measures designed to improve facilities, enhance the environment and support positive use of the park for residents and visitors.
The package of improvements planned for the park includes:
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Replacement of the existing public toilets with new modern toilet facilities and a storage unit for our valued volunteers.
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Improvements to the park pond, including the replacement of edging stones.
- Resurfacing of a number of footpaths throughout the park.
- A new pride campaign, developed alongside local young people, to encourage respect for and ownership of the park.
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The three floating islands on the park pond will be secured into their original locations.
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Fixed bollards will be installed near to the car park to prevent unauthorised vehicle access to the main park.
These improvements will be funded through the Government's £750,000 Pride in Place Impact Fund, which is being delivered by Hartlepool Borough Council to support projects that make a visible difference in communities across the borough.
Councillor Rob Darby, the Council’s Chair of Housing, Growth & Communities Committee, said: "Rossmere Park is a much-loved community asset and we know how important it is to residents. Following concerns raised by local people during the summer, we have listened to our residents and volunteers to develop a programme of investment that will improve facilities, enhance the park environment and support positive use of the space."
"Alongside the physical improvements, we are also committed to working with young people to develop a campaign which promotes pride in the park and encourages everyone to play their part in looking after this important community space."
Beverley Mason, Co-Chair of the Rossmere Park Support Group, said: "As a group, we are absolutely over the moon that we are going to get the toilets refurbished and reopened for people to use, the footpaths are going to be refurbished and the pond sides re-sorted to make it a bit safer when you go closer to the pond."
Rossmere Park Support Group Co-Chairs Beverley Mason (left) and Caroline Nicholson with Councillor Rob Darby
In addition to the improvements to Rossmere Park, Hartlepool Borough Council is also investing in additional CCTV cameras which will be deployed across the borough to support community safety initiatives.
The cameras will be used in hotspot locations where issues such as anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and other community safety concerns are being reported, helping partners to target resources and deter offending. This will support the work we do in collaboration with Cleveland Police and Council enforcement services to respond to incidents where required.