Green Gates Community Park to re-open after lengthy battle

THE long battle to save Frodsham’s Green Gates Community Park, off Ship Street will finally come to an end on Saturday, May 27, with the Grand Opening of the park – after more than 10 years.
The opening ceremony at 2pm will be followed with live music, face painting and other activities.
Residents are being encouraged to attend – and take a picnic.
There will also be opportunities to try out the new play equipment that has been installed.
The event will represent a huge victory for local residents who have been campaigning for years to save a piece of land originally known by locals as “The Backki” and where generations of local youngsters had played.
The park was kept locked for years and Frodsham Town Council – who own the land – were considering selling it for housing development.
But after local residents protested – and new councillors were elected – the council agreed to save the site as a community park to benefit local children and senior citizens. Local MP Mike Amesbury added his support.
A £40,000 grant from the Marshes Community Benefit Fund and a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, together with other funding, saw the campaign really get under way.
Plans were drawn up for a multi-generational recreation area, attractive to families with children under 11, and local older residents. Seating, footpaths and a wildflower garden were included in the proposals.
The Town Council finally agreed to reinstate the land as a park and committed £150,000 to the project.
It is believed singer Gary Barlow – who lived nearby – was one of the youngsters who played in the original park.
Three years ago, the park was re-opened informally, for a while, despite the COVID-19 situation – another milestone in the campaign to save it for future generations.