Winsford Town Park wins the Cheshire West & Chester Civic Award for Design & Conservation

Winsford Town Park has won the prestigious Cheshire West & Chester Civic Award for Design & Conservation. The award recognises the original design and the work that has been done to create the Town Park, which only became a reality in 2018 thanks to £900,000 of public investment from Cheshire West & Chester Council.

Winsford Town Mayor, Councillor Nathan Pardoe, said: "It's wonderful that the hard work of Cheshire West & Chester Council staff who planned, project managed and delivered this fantastic asset has been properly recognised. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project from inception to creation and the ongoing maintenance – including all the local residents who play their part."

Cheshire West & Chester Council's designs were built on ideas from local students for a new park in the centre of town. The site had a history of neglect, antisocial behaviour, and limited use by families. Other than some seats, amenity grass and trees which obscured views, the park was largely forgotten.

Councillor Lyndsay Barwell, Chair of Winsford Town Council Open Spaces Committee, adds: "Our Town park was transformed into a new space with functional items like play equipment, picnic seating and new footpaths. Ecology wasn't forgotten, with ponds for wildlife, and areas for wildflower and tree planting. There's a nod to our salt heritage too, with the, 'Seven Sisters' salt sculptures."

The responsibility for the Town Park was transferred to Winsford Town Council in 2020 after the project had been completed so that Winsford residents could take greater ownership of their new park.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe adds: "This was a significant undertaking which we were proud to take on. The conservation of our Town Park is led by Winsford Town Council which pays for a professional horticulturist and whose staff care for Town Park all year round."

"Our park also has an active friends group who do fantastic work, which is greatly appreciated by all."

Since its completion, the park has gone from strength to strength and has been embraced by the whole community.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe concludes: "This is a fantastic achievement for our park, which Winsford families love spending time in. On a personal level, I'd like to thank the three former Councillors Stephen Burns, David Armstrong and Brian Clarke. Thanks to their work the design by Cheshire West & Chester Council staff became a real-world park for us to conserve & enjoy."