A COMMUNITY park renovation project attracted about 50 people keen to give their local park a facelift.

The Friends of Bush Hill Park held their first open evening last Monday, with Southbury councillor Chris Bond, Christina Lee, Parks Outreach Officer, Shirley Scott, Partnerships and Outreach Services Manager, and representatives from the parks police and discuss the group’s plans for the park, its playground and the toilets.

The friends say they have already secured council funding to renovate the old playground but need money to install bird and bat boxes and create disabled access in the Community Wildlife Garden.

They also want to obtain funding to replace the toilets, which they say the council has agreed.

Chris Jupe, Chairman, was given the key to the group’s new headquarters and meeting room at the Fellowship hut from the parks outreach team.

He said: “This group has really started to make things happen. We have every intention of creating a café style meeting place with indoor and outdoor seating, hot and cold drinks facilities and toys and entertainment for children. There is every possibility that eventually we can turn the space into a fully functioning café. Ideas will be discussed at the next meeting so do come along or post a comment on our website and get involved.”

The Friends’ next meeting is 7pm on Tuesday May 26 at the Fellowship hut near the Cross Road entrance to the park.

The meeting will be attended by representatives from the schools, police, council and Artstart and talking about sources of funding.

For more information see http://fobhp.wordpress.com/about/