Improvement work at parks across city completed

Work to improve accessibility at a number of parks in Derby has been completed.

It included upgrades to footpaths in Chaddesden Park, Alvaston Park, Allestree Park, South Avenue Park and Gravel Pit Lane Recreation Ground in Spondon.

Derby City Council said new smoother paths were designed to ensure everyone could enjoy the city's green spaces.

The authority said the work had been completed in time for spring.

A path between Alvaston Park and the nearby Lakeside Primary School was upgraded to make the route accessible while improvements were also made to paths in Allestree Park.

The authority said South Avenue Park and Gravel Pit Lane Recreation Ground also had their paths revamped and the entrance from South Avenue improved with new railings installed.

In Chaddesden Park, where several paths were upgraded, the entrances to Chaddesden Wood Local Nature Reserve were also improved.

Two new benches were also installed at the site by volunteer group Friends of Chaddesden Wood, as well as a new wooden sculpture of an owl and mouse.

The city council said improvements to the nature reserve entrances were funded by Section 106 funding - contributions developers are obligated to make as part of planning agreements.

Ndukwe Onuoha, the city council's cabinet member for street pride, public safety and leisure, said: "Spending time in nature has positive effects on our physical and mental wellbeing, so we hope the improvements we've made will encourage more people to visit their local park or green space."

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