Plans to transform role of Doncaster parks - and here is what people want to see done

And now plans could soon be drawn up to bring two of the borough’s most popular town centre parks into the 21st century, with plans to put a chunk of a £1 million grant into them.

Elmfield Park and Town Fields have been used by residents as leisure facilities for years.

But after Doncaster residents have raised concerns in recent years over the state of some of the borough’s parks, money from a grant by the Government’s Towns Fund is being lined up to beef up the role of both in town centre life.

In total the borough has £1.5 million coming in from the fund – with £1million for Doncaster and £500,000 for Stainforth, the former mining town.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, has now revealed that she wants to use that on green spaces.

She said: “We have ambitious plans for Doncaster town centre and have already overseen numerous regeneration schemes including at our markets and on Silver Street and Hallgate, while other projects are nearing completion like the train station forecourt, Danum Gallery, Library and Museum and the new Savoy cinema and leisure complex.

"This additional £1million of funding will help us focus on enhancing our parkland areas. Town Fields and Elmfield Park are key green assets close to the town centre and we want them to become more prominent and make them part of everyday town centre life. Funding will also support the ongoing redevelopment plans which will be reflected in a refreshed Urban Centre Masterplan.

“The £500,000 grant for Stainforth will complement investment plans to benefit the local community. The Stainforth neighbourhood planning consultation as well as our ‘Doncaster Talks’ consultation showed a desire in Stainforth for more activities for children and families and more dedicated green spaces. Funding will be channelled into appropriate schemes and also into improving the Stainforth Community Resource Centre.”

Damian Allen, Chief Executive of Doncaster Council, added:“This Towns Fund announcement is another boost to our ambitious, ongoing plans to develop a strong, vibrant urban centre which benefits the whole of our borough.”

Ken Fear, of Friends of Elmfield Park, was pleased to hear there were plans for the parks.

Ken, a member of the park’s bowling club, said he hoped it would mean progress would be made on proposals that had been made to improve the pavilion in the park, which had stalled since lockdown.

"We certainly need improvements to the pavilion,” he said.

"There have been plans for the park, and before lockdown, I had seen plans to create an arboretum. That would see all sorts of different trees planted in a corner of the park, where children could come and learn about them.

"Before lockdown, there was also new children’s play equipment put in place, which was due to be officially opened in June, until lockdown stopped that. It is now being used though.”

Users of Town Fields had their own ideas of what their park needed.

Uncle and nephew Robert and Simon Kliek, from Wheatley, wanted to see the footpath through Town Fields improved.

Robert also felt there should be more benches for people to sit on next to the path, and was concerned some of them had been removed.

Robert said: “It’s a wonderful big park, but I’d like them to put some toilets here near the entrances.”

Simon added: “I’d also like to see a cafe, perhaps selling bottles of water refreshments, and things like that.”

Dad and dog walker Lee Mair, originally from Rossington but now of Town Moor, said he would like to see better lighting brought in.

"I’d like to see it lit around the paths,” he said. “I think think there are certain paths that don’t feel safe for some people. I’m usually comfortable because I’ve got two dogs with me. It's a nice big open space, but it gets dark, especially in winter.”

Mum of two Christine Drakeley, from Town Moor said she would like to see drunks kept out of the park. She added: “I would like to see a little play area for the very young children. The nearest one to here is near the hospital or Elmfield Park. We tend to come here to play football and exercise. It was great during lockdown. Perhaps an outdoor gym, too?”

Mum Megan Geczi, from Wheatley, said: “I’d like to see something for the little kids. It’s great here for picnics and football, but there’s no little ones’ play area. I’d like to see something for the under fives."

Mum of two Penny Carey, from Town Moor, said she would like to see a hedgerow along the edge of the park next to Town Moor Avenue.

"Some lighting would be a good thing too, “ she added. “Perhaps a van selling street food, or a cafe,” she said. “But nothing that would produce plastic litter.”

Mayor of Stainforth, George Derx, said it was hoped that the £500,000 for Stainforth would be the first of a number of grants for the former mining town, once home to Hatfield Colliery, which was Doncaster’s last working pit.

He said: “We don’t know exactly how much we will get, but the £500,000 has to be spent by March 2021 and I think it will make a difference to the town.

"It will be used to refurbish Stainforth Community Resource Centre, and also to refurbish the Stainforth Welfare grounds, with new fencing.

"There have been idiots taking quad bikes on the sports pitches there, ripping up the football pitches so teams had to play in Dunscroft, Hatfield or Barnby Dun.

“We are looking at tenders for the work, and there may be some left over for another project.”