New £1.5m park helps revitalise Southey estates

A new £1.5 million park in the Southey area of Sheffield officially opens next month thanks to the efforts of its local Tenants and Residents Association (TARA).

 

Binsted and Cookson TARA has turned what was a local eyesore and magnet for vandals into an impressive community facility.

 

Cookson Park now boasts an international cycle speedway track, skateboard park, two junior football pitches, two playgrounds, a seating area, wheelchair accessible paths and a recreational space.

 

The TARA raised the money to fund the park in the space of just four years, with help and support from Sheffield Homes, Sheffield City Council and the Wildlife Trust.  SOAR (Southey/Owlerton Area Regeneration) provided £190,000 to kick-start the project.

 

“The new park is just absolutely brilliant - a real focal point for the local community and a great facility for children and adults,” said Janet Bagshaw, Treasurer of Binsted and Cookson TARA.

 

“As well as helping to transform the area, we have seen a reduction in petty crime and nuisance behaviour.

 

“Sheffield Homes have been a great help to us in making this project happen.  They have supported and worked with us all the way through, helping to get funding and assisting in any way they could.  They’ve been there for us from start to finish.”

 

The park has proved a huge hit with all ages.  After school clubs already run for the speedway track and skateboarding park with local experts (The Sheffield Stars and Flat Spots respectively) providing the training.  All equipment and safety gear is provided free of charge.

 

“The park is always full of people - it’s a pleasure to see families together enjoying themselves,” said Janet.  “Completing this project coincided with the Decent Homes work taking place in the area.  The timing is brilliant as the two things have really lifted the whole estate, with both the park and houses looking great.”

 

Paul Voyse, Sheffield Homes Area North Manager, said: “We were only too happy to help with this hugely successful project and are delighted that everyone is so pleased with the end result.

 

“We work closely with TARAs to encourage projects like this that benefit whole communities and make a real difference to people’s lives.  Cookson Park is a great example of that work and we’ll continue to support tenants however we can in achieving their goals and ambitions.”

 

Cookson Park officially opens on Saturday 5 August with an event that runs from 12 noon to 8pm.  It is situated on Wordsworth Avenue/Halliwell Crescent, off Herries Road, in the Southey area of Sheffield.