The new Vicarage Community Park is set to bloom this spring thanks to Great Sankey Parish Council and Warrington Borough Council’s £160k investment to the former field off Parsonage Way adjoining Liverpool Road.

Great Sankey Parish Council and Warrington Borough Council have been working together to lay the groundwork to develop the field off Parsonage Way into an accessible landscaped community parkland.

Work on improving the drainage, replacing the boundary fence, installing a new pathway, and seating has been completed.

Tony Williams, Vice Chair of the Parish Council said

“The Parish Council is delighted to finally see this project come to fruition. We have encountered many hurdles in trying to get this project off the ground, but despite this we have kept moving forward and to now see the formally waterlogged field becoming a landscaped community park is wonderful.

The planting scheme will create a sensory experience for visitors; the sight, smell and touch of the plants have all been carefully thought about to create a peaceful and relaxing experience.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all of our lives and made us reflect on our personal circumstances. One of the areas it has highlighted is the importance for us all to have access to green spaces. Loneliness can have such a detrimental effect on your health, we hope that this area can become a place where people can meet, take time out and chat”

Local landscape contractor, EDR Landscape Management, has been responsible for the landscaping element of the park and will continue with the on-going maintenance.

David Ramsbottom, owner of EDR Landscape Management said

”As a local, family run Grounds Maintenance Contractor, employing people from the local area, we are absolutely delighted to be involved with the development of such a fantastic new public open space.

My team have worked extremely hard to help create an area that will provide an essential space for informal recreation and relaxation. It has been brilliant to receive so many positive comments about the scheme from local residents, particularly whilst undertaking work to plant the hedges and the raised beds.

We are really looking forward to continuing to work with the Parish Council to maintain Vicarage Community Park to the high standards that Great Sankey deserves. ”

The new arch entrance to the park was manufactured by local steel fabricator Cromwall Fabrications. The design features three salmon, which are the heraldic arms of the Parish of Great Sankey. A history board detailing the full information will be added further along in the project.