Islington park to be restored to be included in the Greater Manchester bee network scheme
- The £683,249 job will start at the end of may and last through to September
- What is left of the 1992 mosaic will be preserved in the new walls of the park and a new, sturdier mosaic will take its place
- Event space to be added to the park, allowing for the likes of pop up cafe's
Mosaic in Salford’s Islington Park to be preserved after Greater Manchester chose the site to be improved.
In line with the mayor’s cycling and walking challenge fund to be a part of Greater Manchester bee network which will be the largest network of off-road walking and cycling routes in the UK when complete.
Salford City council has been awarded £683,249 for work on the park which will start at the end of May and will last until September.
Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable development, said: “The paths, cycle routes and lighting through the park will be upgraded along with the lawn and an area for pop up events or a café will be added.
“More seating will be added, new trees planted to soak up rainfall, more plants including seasonal wildflowers which will benefit wildlife and landscaping will make it an even more pleasant place to relax.
“We’re adding cycle parking which includes Salford’s first stands for cargo bikes. We have an e-cargo bike library at Manchester Bikes in nearby Chapel Street to help more businesses try a green alternative to deliveries.”
The park is home to a mosaic that was created in 1992 by local school children to commemorate Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of children’s novel The Secret Garden.
Before moving to America, Hodgson Burnett originally lived in Manchester and used her memories of her English childhood as inspiration for the iconic story.
Councillor McCusker added: “Unfortunately, after 30 years of weathering, damage and many, many repairs the mosaic has reached the end of its life but we will preserve parts of it in feature walls, so it lives on for future generations.
“We will also work with local children to create new mosaic designs which will be printed on aluminium.”
Footpaths around the park will remain open whilst repairs take place.