Linda Arkley, Elected mayor joined Kier executive director Ian Lawson and Kier regional director Mike Furze for planting ceremony

In the latest enhancement to Richardson Dees Park in Wallsend, team members involved in its regeneration took part in a planting ceremony to improve the appearance of the newly refurbished site.

Despite being faced with rain, Kier executive director, Ian Lawson, joined elected mayor, Linda Arkley, and members of the Wallsend Park Project Team and Friends of Wallsend Park, to plant flowers forming the shape of the Kier and Friends of Wallsend Park logos. The ceremony was followed by afternoon tea for all involved at the visitors centre.

Lawson commented: “The regeneration of Richardson Dees Park is an important project bringing state-of-the-art recreational facilities to the people of North Tyneside. Despite the weather not being on our side, the planting ceremony was a huge success and we look forward to continuing to upgrade the park for future generations of local people to enjoy.”

Richardson Dees Park in Wallsend is currently undergoing extensive regeneration as part of the £7.2m Wallsend Parks Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) 'Parks for People' project.

The scheme includes an extension to the park pavilion to incorporate a new café and toilet facility, an addition to the park lodge, new bins, seating and signage, footpath surfacing, restoration of the bandstand and memorial fountain, resurfacing of the tennis courts and refurbishment of the bowls pavilion and bowling greens.

North Tyneside Council elected mayor, Linda Arkley, said: “The regeneration project is the largest piece of work ever to be undertaken at one of our parks. We hope it will completely transform Richardson Dees Park, delivering a fantastic leisure and recreation destination for all to enjoy, helping to boost Wallsend and the borough as a whole. We were delighted to take part in the planting alongside our colleagues at Kier.”

Kier North Tyneside provides planned and responsive maintenance services to around 16,000 council-owned properties across the region, as well as supporting the council on project work such as this project at Wallsend Park.