Stockport Council invests in borough’s outdoor spaces

Stockport Council has completed improvements at nine of the borough’s parks and outdoor spaces since April 2024.

Some of Stockport’s best-loved parks have been given a boost with new play equipment installed at a range of sites over the past six months. Oak Meadow in Cheadle Hulme is one of those that has seen a new play area installed. Improvements, aimed at younger children, include a new mini basket swing, two new bee-design springers and a mini rotating dish, which features a dipped lip edge to make it easier for children to get in and out of.

Further investment across the borough has seen improvements at Adswood Park, Grafton St Park and Brookside Park, with new accessible swings installed creating a more inclusive experience for children with disabilities.

New equipment has also been built at Torkington Park, Claredon Road Park, Cale Green Park and Romiley Park. Continued investment will see work continuing in November 2024 at Goyt Valley play area, while work in Hollywood Park will be carried out in early 2025.

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council and ward member for Cheadle Hulme South where the park is located, said:

“This investment in parks across Stockport is fantastic and shows the commitment we have to improving our green spaces and supporting our younger generation.

“With nine parks improved since April 2024, including more accessible play equipment and two more parks planned, our young children are getting the facilities they need to play and connect safely.

“Parks are what make our neighbourhoods special, and these upgrades are a step towards ensuring our outdoor spaces can be enjoyed all year round.”

The improvements to Oak Meadow Park have been welcomed by community group ‘Friends of Oak Meadow’, who run community events in the park and work to improve it on a voluntary basis. The new equipment will help to support these events such as their ‘Halloween in the Park’ which has run for two years in a row, ‘Cinema in the Park’ and their upcoming Christmas event on November 28.

Joyce Buxton, from the Friends of Oak Meadow Park, said:

“The new play equipment is already a big hit with the local toddlers. It’s getting lots of use and opened up the park to a whole new sector of the community.

“It was exactly what the park needed and every time I visit, I can see the obvious joy it’s bringing to toddlers and parents alike.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which was launched in 2022 to help restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging was used to help fund the new equipment, plus add planters along Cheadle Hulme High Street, brightening up and visually improving the area.

Some of the money for the improvements in Oak Meadow Park has also come from the Friends of Cheadle Hulme Station Group, a council-developed group that aims to improve the local area.