Members of the local community came together in 2003 and formed the community group ‘Park View 4U’ with the aim of providing our children with some decent play facilities on Lytham’s Park View Playing Fields, which as you can see from this photo is at the very heart of Lytham.

Park view 4U quickly developed into a dynamic and highly organised outfit. We became a charity, formed a partnership with Fylde Borough Council, working closely with them, neighbouring Lytham Academy Lancashire County Council and other partners. We also work alongside and take advice from many local and national organisations. All our work is voluntary with 100% of all money donated going towards building the park.

Our plans for the park soon developed into a recreational space for the whole community with something for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Our first task was to get the infrastructure in place. This we have achieved by installing the cycle paths, having the road layout altered, negotiating the use of AEGON’s car park and by having a new drainage system installed. We then had the overall layout of the park designed by a landscape architect, providing play facilities for all.

So far nearly one million pounds has been invested on site, and we haven’t finished yet! We hold many fundraising events as well as applying for grant funding. We have held everything from pound trails, wacky walks and dinner dances as well as taking part in Lytham Club Day parade. The local community have been tremendous; the £70,000 for the pre school toddler area was all raised locally. The icing on the cake came in April 2006 when we received the news that our £249,000 lottery bid had been successful.

Our first play area to be completed was the eagerly awaited M.U.G.A thanks to The Lawrence House Trust. Next was the lovely pre school toddler area. thanks to the generosity of our local businesses & organisations. Quickly followed by the superb B.M.X track thanks to S.I.T.A. In the summer of 2006 we opened our amazing Teenzone, home to the ALIEN. Then in a very muddy December 2007 we opened the 3G play area. In the early summer of 2008 we opened our skate park. The Teenzone, 3G and Skate park have all been funded by the Big lottery, Fylde Borough Council and the Lancashire Environment Fund. We have also created a Woodland Walk thanks to a Lottery Breathing Spaces grant.

We have proved that if people work together for the good of the community, then anything is possible. We have created a safe environment not only for young people but for the whole family to enjoy. We now  have the first 3G park in the country. But we believe that we haven’t just built a park we are building a new community, we now have children from all backgrounds playing together, children who previously didn’t know each other. The park is the one place in the community where there are no social barriers.