The summer holidays should get off to a swinging start for visitors to Composers Park after a new climbing unit made of natural materials and designed to challenge older children was unveiled in the park’s play area this week.

It is among a host of improvements due to take place this summer in the park, which also includes new welcome signs, an information board, new benches, a new wildlife pond and work to restore and enhance the existing wildlife habitats.

Park owner Hertsmere Borough Council (HBC) and the Countryside Management Service (CMS) were awarded £56,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, for the improvements.

Councillors Morris Bright and Derrick Gunasekera, who both represent the town, contributed £2,000 of their Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme (WIIS) funding towards the project, and a further £3,500 was contributed from the council’s parks budget.

Cllr Bright said: “It is fantastic to see the first stage of this exciting project to rejuvenate a little-known and very special corner of Elstree completed, and I’m delighted it has been done in time for the summer holidays.

“With the wonderful weather we have been having, this just provides extra incentive for youngsters to enjoy the outdoors, be active, and make friends in a safe and natural environment.

“The park’s colourful wildflower meadows, hedgerows and trees, are also bursting with wildlife at the moment. The restoration work should ensure it stays a thriving haven for wildlife for generations to come.”

Residents and visitors were invited to comment on the plans for the park during a consultation held last summer.

Over 400 letters and questionnaires were sent to residents living around the park. Among the responses, people said the plans were ‘great’, ‘well-needed’ and would help ‘preserve the wildlife.’

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: “We are delighted to see work at the park under way, allowing more of the local community to access and enjoy this park, which is one of the few green spaces and so important to the heritage of this area.”

Notes to editors

The Countryside Management Service (CMS) works with landowners and communities to develop projects that enhance landscape and biodiversity, as well as encourage people to understand and enjoy the countryside. The service plays an active role in encouraging volunteer and local action groups to identify and become involved in projects.

Love Parks Week is taking place this year from 27 July to 4 August 2013.Visit Love Parks Week website or follow on Twitter #loveparks.

Further information

If you would like to find out more about the project or speak to the parks team call 0800 731 1810, email parks@hertsmere.gov.uk or go to the Hertsmere Borough Council website.

Hertsmere Borough Council: Gail Anderson, Corporate Communications Officer on 020 8207 7581, email: gail.anderson@hertsmere.gov.uk.

Heritage Lottery Fund: Vicky Wilford, Communications Manager on 020 7591 6046, email:Vickyw@hlf.org.uk.