A DILAPIDATED park in Deeside has been given a new lease of life.

The play park, tucked away in alleyway off Primrose Street in Connah's Quay, has undergone a makeover courtesy of work by residents, staff of a community programme, Aura Leisure and Flintshire Council. Last summer, the Leader reported on the work being done by residents around Primrose Street, with the help of the 'Our Backyard' team - a scheme run by Groundwork North Wales - to clear up areas around the park.

They highlighted the issues around the playground, including fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Residents were desperate to improve the area and make it a safe place for children to play and for families to enjoy time together.

With the support of the Our Back Yard team, and now Flintshire Council, their dreams are finally being realised.

The park itself is owned by Flintshire Council - meaning a full makeover of the park was inaccessible.

But after hard work by residents, volunteers and staff to clear the access alleyways and tidy the existing playground, Our Backyard has managed to secure new equipment for the playground courtesy of Aura Leisure and Flintshire Council.

The Leader:

It is a great success story of partnership working and the community improving spaces.

Richard Aram, Our Back Yard project manager, said: “The Our Back Yard Project was approached in August 2018 to try to help with the playground area.

"When we visited there was a lot of fly tipping, overgrown access paths and a playground with only two pieces of equipment left.

"We put out an appeal to local residents and they responded. We had work parties with the residents to clear the area and Flintshire County Council helped remove rubbish and clear areas volunteers could not manage.

"Project staff set up meetings between Aura Leisure and Flintshire County Council and they have managed to fund the new equipment and improve the fence around the site.

"We now hope residents will continue to keep an eye on the site and the Our Back Yard Volunteer group will visit the site every couple of months to try to help with maintaining the area. The Our Back Yard Project is aimed at working with partners and the local community to improve greenspaces around Connah’s Quay and hopefully local children will enjoy the new facility.”