Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Park hailed after £3m revamp
Families will be able to enjoy a Black Country park for generations following the completion of a £3 million restoration project, a senior councillor has said.
Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge has undergone a major three-year facelift after cash was secured from the Heritage Lottery.
A raft of improvements have been carried out at the park, including repairs to the historic entrance gates, the war memorial, bandstand and Heath Pool as well as the creation of a new cafe and toilet facilities.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, environment boss at Dudley Council, hailed the changes.
She said: "I know this historic park very well and I am extremely pleased to see the work which has been undertaken there.
“I believe that this park restoration project will ensure that generations of visitors will be able to enjoy the splendour of Mary Stevens Park for years to come, making use of the many facilities at this important heritage site.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who tirelessly donate their time and energy to the continued success of this park.”
Dudley Council has produced a film showing the changes to the park, available to view on its YouTube channel.
The authority is keen to organise more events at the park to ensure it is used by more people.
A heritage ranger has been appointed to deliver a programme of activities.
A £2.6 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund allowed the revamp at the popular park to go ahead.
The metal entrance gates, which had long been in need of repair were lifted out of place and taken away to be repaired.
The grade II-listed bandstand saw parts of its original ironwork replaced and the Stourbridge coat of arms plaques installed.
The steps were also replaced with dwarf brick walls topped with sandstone - in keeping with the original look
A new power supply to the bandstand was also laid to make future concerts easier to stage.
