Love Where You Live brings big improvements to parks across north of Barnsley

A series of improvements has been made to parks across the north of Barnsley through Barnsley Council’s Love Where You Live programme, helping to create cleaner, safer and more welcoming green spaces for everyone. 

The work is part of our £2.1 million investment to improve parks across all 21 Barnsley wards. 

Local priorities have shaped the enhancements, with many well-used parks and play areas benefitting from new surfacing, refurbished equipment, repainting, new seating, better paths and improved access.  

They also form one part of a wider investment bringing community enhancement projects to every ward across Barnsley. 

Several parks have undergone significant upgrades. Barugh Green Recreation Ground and Mapplewell Recreation Ground have had full refurbishments to their play areas, featuring upgraded equipment and new layouts designed to support active play and children’s development.  

Wilthorpe Park has also benefited from a new toddler tractor alongside fresh surfacing and general improvements. 

Updates have been delivered at Bluebell Road and School Street in Darton, as well as at Kexborough Recreation Ground.  

Redbrook’s Harry Road play area has received refreshed equipment, while Smithies Recreation Play Area in the St Helens ward has been brightened through repainting and updated features. Further improvements have been made at the Newstead and New Lodge play areas in Athersley and New Lodge. 

Blackburn Lane play area in Gawber and Sugdens play area in Old Town has benefited from enhancements of repainting and upgraded features. Brettas Park in Old Town has had new junior equipment installed and fresh paint alongside new trees and spring bulbs to revitalise the whole site. 

Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: “We have continued to invest in our parks and green spaces to help make Barnsley cleaner, greener and more welcoming for everyone.”  

“These improvements have been shaped by local priorities and show our commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment while creating fantastic spaces for families to enjoy together.” 

“We will continue delivering upgrades across the borough as the Love Where You Live programme progresses.” 

Alongside park improvements, the programme has delivered repaired noticeboards, planting and refreshed multiuse games areas, supporting safer and more accessible community spaces across the North area. 

The improvements delivered so far have demonstrated Barnsley Council’s ongoing commitment to creating vibrant, well-connected neighbourhoods across the borough. Further enhancements have been planned as the Love Where You Live programme continues to roll out. 

To discover how you can take part in the Love Where You Live programme, visit: www.barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive