Council defends parks (From Warrington Guardian)

Council defends parks

ST Helens Council has defended its two parks in Newton saying that both are "high quality open spaces" in which safety improvements are being made.

A spokesman for the council said: "We have thousands of visitors to these popular parks. The award-winning Mesnes Park underwent a £1 million refurbishment in recent years as part of the council's Putting People Back Into Parks strategy.

"This saw big improvements, not only in facilities, but in safety too."

He said that security cameras are installed in Mesnes Park and there is also a Friends of Mesnes Park group and a Park Watch scheme.

This scheme gives Police, Council Rangers and residents an opportunity to keep a watchful eye on parkland.

A Park Watch initiative also runs in Willow Park, which the council claims has also seen improvements.

The spokesman added: "Mesnes Park has been awarded the national Green Flag award for providing a high quality open space. The council will continue to work with the police and local community to make all parks across the borough safer places and there has already been a meeting with the police, council officers and councillors to look at issues in Willow Park."