County Durham school children are benefitting from improvements to a community park.
Durham County Council’s Find and Fix team has spruced up Dragon Park in Durham by
carrying out landscaping work and installing picnic benches and new sculptures designed
by a local artist.
The project involved the council, Gilesgate Residents’ Association and Laurel Avenue
Community Primary School working together to enhance the area. It was funded through
the Neighbourhood Budgets of local councillors, Cllr Christine Fletcher and Cllr Lesley
Mavin, as well as Section 106 developer funds. A total of £6,000 was delivered via
Durham Area Action Partnership.
Cllr Mark Wilkes, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We are
committed to working alongside our partners to enhance our green spaces for the benefit
of our communities. Being able to enjoy our parks, countryside and community spaces not
only has benefits for our physical health but promotes positive wellbeing and helps to bring
people together.”
To celebrate the completion of the project, children from nearby Laurel Avenue Community
Primary School enjoyed a celebration day at the park accompanied by Tidy Ted, from the
council’s Civic Pride team.
Pupils took part in craft activities before exploring the new sculptures. They also enjoyed a
story written by local resident Carole Lattin, of a dragon who loved and protected the park,
which was delivered by storyteller David Elliott Cooper.
The school plans to use the space for future Forest School lessons, allowing the pupils to
explore their natural environment and learn more about the benefits of the outdoors.
Cllr Wilkes added: “It is fantastic to see school children are already enjoying the
improvements at Dragon Park. Hopefully, they will follow in the footsteps of the dragon in
loving the area where they live and growing up to do their bit to help protect and enhance
the park for future generations too.
“I also want to say particular thanks to Carole Lattin and her colleagues for the incredible
amount of work they have put in.”
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