An artist’s impression of the new playground in St George’s Park (1361kb).

 A plan of the refurbished St George’s Park. (4822kb)

If you go down to the park today, you’re in for a big surprise… you will find exciting new changes are getting underway, which are also creating the opportunity for youngsters to impress with their design skills.

Work to raise St George’s Park, Great Yarmouth, to Green Flag status begins on Monday July 23.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council was awarded £2.1 million under the Cleaner, Safer, Greener Communities Initiative, the majority of which is being used to create a high quality, and more environmentally friendly area with provision for entertainment and community events. Norfolk County Council is contributing a further £415,000 for highway, cycle and footway improvements.

“The first part of the work will be within the confines of the park, starting at the western (Temple Road) end,” said Environmental Service Manager, Simon Mutten.

“There will be limited access to the park during this time for health and safety reasons. Work on the surrounding highway will follow towards the end of September, to avoid the main tourist season.

“When completed St George’s will provide a safer and more attractive open space for residents and visitors to enjoy with pathways linking the two green areas on either side of Trafalgar Road.

“We want pedestrians and cyclists to take priority over high levels of traffic and it would be a bonus if horse-drawn landaus and the road train made it part of their route. Initial discussions with operators have shown support for this proposal.”

The centre of the park is to be used as a performance area, and new street furniture will make the park a more inviting place to sit and relax.

Features such as up-lighting of trees will not only add to the appearance of the park but will help to make it a safer place to walk.

With the school summer holidays about to start, the Council has decided to leave existing children play facilities in place as long as possible. However, there will be a brand new playground installed towards the end of the project.

The safety surface at the play area will be formed from a rubber matting. The multi-coloured surface gives youngsters in the borough the opportunity to design a picture or pattern which will be recreated in the material.

“It can represent anything they think is fun… our suggestions include playing in the park, to being with friends or a multicoloured pattern which is bright and cheerful but let your imagination run riot,” said Regeneration Officer Joolz Tinsley.

“The designs need to be limited to four colours so that the design can be recreated.

“They can send their designs to me Joolz Tinsley, Regeneration Services, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth NR30 2QF, by Monday August 6.

“They will have the opportunity to see their handy work in place and be the first person to walk on it!”

Joolz also wanted to remind residents that they can see a plan of the new layout of the park at the coffee shop, in Christchurch, King Street. As well as the plan there are also feedback forms to comment on the changes.

“During the consultation period we have had a great deal of valuable assistance from the Friends of St George’s Park who have given the community a voice,” added Simon Mutten.

“We would like to thank them, and look forward to working with them in the future as new phases of providing a cleaner, safer, greener Great Yarmouth get underway. They can be contacted via their website www.stgeorgespark.org.uk

“Work getting underway on the St George’s Park improvements is part of the larger vision for an improved green link between the sea and river,” said Councillor Jim Shrimplin Chairman of the Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Partnership Board.

“It represents a major investment in the regeneration of the town which will be of particular benefit to our residents.”

The work to the park is being carried out by May Gurney as part of Norfolk County Council’s Strategic Partnership. A site team will be based at St Nicholas car park along Marine Parade.

For further information the site office telephone number is 01493 332820, general enquiries can be made to 0844 800 8020.