An East Lancashire town has gained a new park - complete with an outdoor table tennis table - on one of its gateways.

The green space in Netherfield Road, Nelson, aims to brighten up neighbourhood.

A new park has been created after Pendle Council made a successful bid to the Department of Housing Communities and Local Government for a project to create or improve a park in a dense urban area.

Netherfield Road was identified as suitable for the funding based on population demographics and housing density.

The site was identified as perfect to develop a new park as it lacked tree cover and was on a key gateway into Nelson.

Cllr Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Council, said: “This is great news that, with government funding, we have been able to create this beautiful green space in this residential area so close to the town centre.

“Parks have an important social function to bring people together and to act as a focus for community life.

“These kinds of public spaces provide a variety of activities and encourage social interaction which helps with people’s health and well-being.”

The council’s green spaces team worked with a local landscape architect to design the park to benefit the adjoining sheltered housing, nearby terraced housing many young families and take into account the traffic on nearby roads.

The design creates a natural-themed park with boulders, logs, wildflowers, trees, a snaking stone path and new seating.

Raised beds have also been installed for fruit, vegetables and flowers.

An outdoor table tennis table has also been included.

Phil Riley, Pendle Council’s green spaces manager, said: “In October there will be a community volunteering event to plant over 2,000 bulbs to bring some colour to the park for spring 2025.

"There will also be a separate event for local schools and youth groups to help with the planting scheme.

“We would also like to start a new friends group to help us look after and develop the new park further.”

Cllr Zafar Ali, the council’s environment boss said: “The past few years have only reiterated the importance of being able to access the outdoors and be in green space to look after our mental and physical well-being.

“For many they are the main connection to our natural world, but they also provide an important community identity.”

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