Prudhoe park path providing proper access
22 Nov 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
A Prudhoe park is now more accessible than ever after a new path was created around its perimeter for the first time.
Eastwoods Park, on the eastern side of Prudhoe, was originally known as the West Wylam Welfare and is well over 100 years old.
The park, a regular Green Flag Award winner, is a popular local attraction, with a play area, football pitches, tennis court and pavilions.
And for the first time a path has been made completely around the park, meaning dog walkers, those with mobility issues or prams. those watching sport or just enjoying a stroll can now access the entire area.
The work, costing around £150,000, was funded by the County Council and Thompsons of Prudhoe also provided support for the project.
It’s just one of a range of park improvements, new woodland walks and tree planting schemes which were given the green light last year County as a way to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
More than 1,000 residents came forward with ideas on how to celebrate the Queen's reign when the council launched a consultation following her death earlier in the year.
The council chose to reflect the late Monarch's love of the outdoors and the countryside, and set aside £370,000 for projects in towns up and down Northumberland.
The official opening of the path saw Council Leader Glen Sanderson joined by local member Cllr Gordon Stewart, local dog walkers and representatives from Prudhoe Town Council, Friends of Eastwoods Park, Prudhoe Plodders running group, Prudhoe Youth Club FC, the County Council’s Family Hubs, My Little Kingdom Childrens Nursery and officers from the County Council’s Countryside and Green Spaces team.
Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “We all felt the shock and sadness of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and I was moved by the huge response we got to our appeal for memorial suggestions.
“We were delighted to agree a range of memorial projects such as this one, which Councillor Stewart lobbied for, to give people the opportunity to reflect and remember while enjoying the health benefits of the great outdoors.”
Prudhoe South County Councillor Gordon Stewart said: “This investment has already had a major and positive impact upon the users of the park allowing more people to enjoy the facilities, a range of improvements over the last few years has transformed the area into an award winning and much loved park not just for local people but visitors, and there is more to come.
“This is a fine example of how councils and the community can work closely together to provide what the community wants and needs.”