The Henry Street Pocket Park play area has been fully revamped as part of a long-running regeneration project in North Ormesby.

And some of those responsible for the initiative from the Henry Street Project gathered recently to mark the park’s relaunch as an important focal point for the local community.

The £127,000 refurbishment started in 2018, led by the North Ormesby Health and Wellbeing Group with support from Thirteen’s Community Co-ordinator. 

The development was completed in phases because of its size but that did not deter the group from seeing the project through. 

Local residents and project leads at the Henry Street project Cheryl Dixon, Jane Lister, Colin Conroy and Jan Ryles worked alongside local residents and partners including Public Health South Tees, You've Got This, Youth Focus, Sport England, MEC, Borderlands, St Alphonsus RC Primary School, North Ormesby Hub, North Ormesby Big Local and Groundwork NE to deliver a host of upgrades, new equipment and repairs.

Cheryl said: “This has been a fantastic project for everyone involved – it’s been challenging at times but I’m grateful for the hard work and support from so many people and organisations.

“They’ve helped us create a brilliant public space for everyone, and that’s something of which all involved can been rightly proud.

“The challenges faced by an area like North Ormesby are well known, so facilities like this play a vital role in helping people stay healthy and active, and are important for communities like ours to recover from isolation. 

“State-of-the-art play equipment and gym equipment also helps ensure our young people get the stimulation and social interaction they need, and older people can access rehabilitation equipment locally and for free.

“It’s also a great place for the grown-ups to meet get some fresh air and exercise too.”

Works undertaken as part of the play park revamp included new grass, safety surfaces, play equipment and climbing boulders, seating, a zip wire and new welcome signs and the installation of a figure-of-eight fitness track with outdoor gym equipment.

The refurbishment also included repainting and repairs to areas affected by graffiti and vandalism, while local young people where given the opportunity to design and paint some artwork on the graffiti walls. 

North Ormesby ward Councillor Jan Ryles said: “Play areas like this are so important to their local communities, and that’s why it’s vital that we maintain and invest in them.

“I know local people are enormously grateful for the all the hard work that’s gone into this amazing facility, and it will stand the whole area in good stead for many years to come.”

• To find out more about the work visit the Henry Street Project page on Facebook.