A further revamp of a historic Victorian park in the centre of Preston could go ahead if the city council can find the cash.
Avenham and Miller Park has seen nearly £7m worth of improvements in recent years but council officers are recommending further work, as more funding becomes available.
An underspend on the project means a grant of £474,000 is available from the Heritage Lottery Fund but the council would need to stump up £53,000 to make it happen.
Cash-strapped bosses in the Town Hall will increase the city’s capital programme deficit to £215,000 from £162,000 and put an extra £6,000 a year repayment strain on resources.
The money will enable extra planting in the park, improvements to drainage system and work to be carried out on the West Grotto.
The West Grotto would see the restoration of its waterfall, ponds and pools.
The council would also spend £40,000 on re-introducing’ 40 dog and serpent benches to the park.
Officers in the report to the city council argue the scheme offers “significant value for money for the council” and will “further improve the quality of Avenham and Miller Parks.”
The report goes before the full city council on Thursday 5 July to make a decision whether to bid for the funding or not.
View the full report going before the council
What do you think? Should the council bid for the funding or not? Let us know in the comments below