Work to improve parks gets funding boost

Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been set aside to improve Bradford's parks in this year's council budget - including work to clean up a polluted lake and mend two crumbling pavilions.

About £300,000 has been budgeted to deal with "outstanding maintenance needs" at several Bradford parks after the council's 2026/27 budget was approved last month.

At a meeting of Bradford Council, members were told the works would be "prioritised through a rolling programme" in the coming year.

A spokesperson for the council said the funding came on top of £3.3m spent on park facilities across Bradford in recent years.

The council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service refurbishment works included repairs to the boardwalk at Lister Park in Manningham, including improved access for visitors to hire boats.

Last year hundreds of fish died in Wibsey Park lake with the council blaming high temperatures leading to reduced oxygen levels in the lake.

Now a programme of improvement works will be undertaken to improve water quality with mechanical aeration of the water and create more space for nature by increasing biodiversity and habitat.

In Peel Park, the council will install a "durable interpretation sign" on the viewing platform at the park to highlight key Bradford landmarks visible from the area.

A council spokesperson said: "The sign will feature a panoramic annotated illustration with the landmark names and brief descriptions, helping visitors orient themselves and learn more about the city's architectural and cultural heritage."

Other works include funding to improve and sustain Littlemoor Walled Garden in Queensbury, improvements to existing infrastructure at Jerr Wood Nature Habitat in Bingley and refurbishing the existing basketball court in Myrtle Park.

Two park pavilions in Keighley will be refurbished at Devonshire Park and Burgess Field Pavilion to enable more community activities.

The exact amount of money for each park has yet to be revealed.

A further round of play area improvements is also expected.

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