It’s going to be a really Good Friday this Easter at Williamson Park
Visitors to Williamson Park are in for a treat this Easter with two brand new play areas opening and some new furry residents eager to meet you.
It’s not the Easter bunny, but nine African meerkats who have been settling into their new homes and are loving their new environment in the Animal Garden.
Young visitors will be delighted with the two new play areas. The lower play area at the bottom of the Ashton Memorial is perfect for children aged 8 years and over with a 10m zip line, a group swing, a large roundabout and a climb and slide.
Younger visitors aged under 8 years will love climbing the shipwreck in the upper play area. There is also toddler and junior swings, a roundabout, a climb and slide and a group swing for the whole family to enjoy. All the equipment is natural and sustainable and has been made in Britain.
Lancaster City Council has invested £75,000 which, along with a further £30,000 secured by volunteer group the Friends of Williamson Park from the Lancashire Environmental Fund.
Significant grounds work have taken place to improve the drainage and improve paths and landscaping to complement the new play equipment.
Caroline Jackson, Secretary of the Friends group, said: "This project is the result of consulting with the people who use the park play areas, especially the children. The new equipment has an adventure theme and blends in with the natural landscape just as they wanted. The Friends enjoyed working closely with the council on this and are looking forward to creating a Phase 2 for the lower play area in the future."
Coun David Smith, Cabinet member with responsibility for parks and open spaces, said: “Williamson Park attracts over a hundred thousand visitors every year, particularly families. As part of our long term commitment to improving the park the council is extremely proud of this project. It is a great testament to the partnership with our Friends of Williamson Park group who also secured funding which will help to keep the park’s reputation as one of the best in the north west.”
Admission to see the meerkats is included in the cost of the Butterfly House, Mini Beast Cave and Animal Garden fee: Adult £3.80, child £2.80, concessions £3.40, family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £12. The Wild Card is an annual pass and costs £40 and allows up to 2 adults and 2 children unlimited entry for a whole year.
For more information please visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark or follow the park on Facebook and Twitter.
Last updated: 21 March 2016