Historic open space given new lease of life

• 16/07/2009

One of Sunderland's most important open spaces has had a new lease of life thanks to a local regeneration programme.

Back on the Map, the government funded New Deal for Communities regeneration programme for Hendon and the East End of Sunderland, has invested £90,000 in restoring the city's historic Town Moor. Sunderland's Mayor, Councillor Dennis Richardson, will officially launch the new and improved Town Moor on Saturday 18 July when local residents and groups will be taking part in a community fun day.

Back on the Map's chair of housing and environment, local resident Hazel Clark, said: "We are delighted that as part of Back on the Map's mission to regenerate the Hendon and East End area we have been able to make these improvements to the Town Moor. It is an important and historic open space, not just for the East End area, but also for the whole city, and these new environmental improvements and play facilities will make a real difference to people who want to come and enjoy using the space."

The new improvements and facilities include goal posts, bmx bumps, boulders to play on, new seating, litter bins and tree planting. The paths have been resurfaced and tidied and the entrances to the Moor have been made more welcoming. Sunderland environmental charity, CEED (Community Environmental Educational Developments), have delivered the project on behalf of Back on the Map as part of the wider Greenspace initiative. CEED have worked closely with Sunderland City Council's Landscape and Regeneration, Environmental Services and Leisure services teams to develop and deliver the project.

Local residents, many from CHANCE Community Centre in the East End, were involved in community consultation to find out what people wanted to see on the Town Moor. Young people in the area wanted facilities for football and bmx bikes, while older residents wanted the area to be somewhere to meet neighbours, walk the dog or take the children to play.

Residents will continue the work through the East End Residents Association who meet at the Chance Community centre, to help raise awareness of the area, organise events and potentially secure funding for further improvements such as decorative artworks.

Saturday's community fun day will feature activities for all the family from 11am to 1.15pm. A marquee will house the Greenspace project, Living History North East, local history group, Salvation Army, face painting from CHANCE and NECA non alcoholic cocktails. Other attractions include craft stalls, football skills and penalty shoot out competition, instruction, bike skills instruction, traditional races, bingo and refreshments will be available in East Community Association, games and competitions.

For more information about the fun day contact Helen Cheetham at CEED on 0797 496 2382.