Transformed park in Stone to get mayoral seal of approval at official opening event

A host of activities will be on offer as the Mayor of Stafford Borough officially opens Westbridge Park in Stone following its £1.5m transformation.

The park has proved hugely popular with residents and visitors after work was completed in the latter part of 2023.

 The improvements have seen new play equipment, zip wire, wheeled sports facility and multi-use games area (MUGA) - as well as a woodland play area, sunken garden, toilets and enhanced footpaths and landscaping.

And at 10am on Saturday 27 April the Mayor of Stafford Borough, Councillor Andy Cooper, will officially open the park to signal the start of a day of community led activities, stalls and entertainment.

 More on timings and what is happening on the day will be publicised on the borough council’s website and social media closer to the date. Any local group or organisation wanting to be involved in the event should contact smcdonald@staffordbc.gov.uk

Councillor Gillian Pardesi, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said it had been wonderful to see and hear how popular the new facilities have been.

“The council has an excellent track record of delivering some great parks across the borough and this is no exception. And the proof of its success can be seen with the number of families spending time at the park, and the thousands of young people using the fantastic new play equipment and wheeled sports facilities.

“It is also great to hear about the park helping to draw more visitors to the town which will help support the local economy - as well as encouraging others to use the area for walking and cycling which provide benefits for physical and mental health.”

The play park is significantly larger than the previous site and includes a range of equipment for all ages - including tower and tube slide, integrated mini trampoline, boulder scramble, tyre swing, and climbing blocks. The double zip wire has a more than 30 metre run. The MUGA is available for five-a-side football, basketball and tennis. Key space for local events and existing football provision was incorporated in the park design.

Councillor Pardesi continued: “I am really looking forward to the official opening event in the spring and will be hoping for some good weather so we can show off this wonderful park at its very best.”

Information about the park and updates around the opening event will be available from Westbridge Park - A Destination | Stafford Borough Council (staffordbc.gov.uk)