Funding success announced for new play area at Marbury Country Park, Northwich

Residents in Northwich and visitors to the park will soon have an all new, bespoke play facility at Marbury Park, thanks to a £100,000 grant from funding body FCC Communities Foundation.

The money, awarded by the Foundation’s FCC Community Action Fund, together with match funding secured from Cheshire West and Chester Council will be used to create a bespoke outdoor play area with new play equipment, picnic tables and seating, interpretation boards, landscaping and planting, fencing and improved footpath connections.

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “I’m absolutely delighted with this wonderful news.  Over the last few years Council officers and the Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) have been working together to look at ideas for the new play facility for the Park.  I am sure this is going to be such an exciting project.

“The pandemic has shown exactly just how important greenspaces and play areas are in our communities and the contribution they make to health and wellbeing has long been recognised.  It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded the partnership this money and I’m really looking forward to a new play area taking shape over the coming year.”

The old play area at Marbury Park, Northwich was identified in the borough’s Play Strategy and the Council’s Play Improvement Plan as in need of full replacement.  A full community consultation took place during 2018 and 2019 and there was widespread support for a new play facility at Marbury Park.

The new and improved play area at Marbury Park will be re-located to a more centrally located site adjacent to the existing park offices. This will also provide the opportunity to make use of adjacent picnic areas, public convenience facilities, footpaths and the Marbury Park education hub.

Mary Jeeves from The Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) added “Visitors have talked to Friends of Anderton & Marbury (FoAM) for several years about the possibility of improving play facilities in Marbury Country Park, so we are delighted that the exciting plans will soon meet their wishes.  FoAM is proud to have been included in the working party and is looking forward to seeing the completed project.”

Richard Smith, FCC Communities Foundation senior grant manager, says: “We’re delighted to be supporting the new play area project at Marbury Country Park and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”

A project team was created in 2018 which included representation from Council officers, Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) together with engagement with the local ward members and was tasked with preparing ideas on how best the play area at Marbury Park could be improved and will now oversee delivery on the ground. 

Final plans together with draft timetables were relayed back to the local community via the community consultation in 2018/19.

It is anticipated that work on site will hopefully commence in the Autumn of 2021.  The Council will provide regular updates on progress.