Refurbishment work to enhance the look of Rossmere Park in Hartlepool has started. The £500,000 project, which will be in two phases and take a year to complete, has been developed by Hartlepool Borough Council following public consultation on its masterplan for the park in 2015.

Phase one includes the relocation of the toddler play area near to the cafe, complete with a range of new equipment, and the creation of a separate all-new junior play area featuring facilities including a Sutu interactive ball wall.

On the site of the old toddler play area off Braemar Road an on-site car park will be built. Moreover, a new covered area for events will be created in the centre and there will also be general enhancement work around the park.

“These exciting improvements will create new and better facilities for children and adults alike. I look forward very much to seeing the park welcome many more visitors when the work has been completed,” said Councillor Ann Marshall, Vice-Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee.

Phase two will focus on the pond and will include planting around the pond’s concrete edging to improve its visual appearance and the introduction of several miniature floating islands which will act as natural filtration systems to improve the oxygen levels for the fish.

“I’m delighted that, thanks to this external funding, Rossmere Park is getting a new lease of life,” added Councillor Jim Lindridge, Vice-Chair of the Council’s Regeneration Services Committee.

The two phases project has been funded by Mondegreen Environmental Body – a regional grant-giving organisation which distributes money from the Landfill Tax to community initiatives.