Council funding helps teenagers have fun keeping fit

A council grant has helped the local community to make a start on a new play and fitness facility in Milnthorpe.
Milnthorpe play area. Photo by Steven Barber.Milnthorpe play area. Photo by Steven Barber.
Milnthorpe play area. Photo by Steven Barber.

South Lakeland District Council has awarded £5,230 from its Locally Important Projects (LIPs) fund to help transform the patch of land off Park Road.

Kathy Watts-Jones, from the Milnthorpe Play Area Development Project, said: “What we hope to create is a revamped play area useable for people of all ages and abilities. The grant has enabled work to start on the first phase, creating a trim-trail for teenagers and adults which is a bit like a mini assault course.”

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LIPs money is allocated through the New Homes Bonus, where the government matches the council tax raised for new homes and properties brought back into use.

Milnthorpe play area. Photo by Steven Barber.Milnthorpe play area. Photo by Steven Barber.
Milnthorpe play area. Photo by Steven Barber.

SLDC awarded £102,000 in 2014, £235,900 in 2015 and £285,000 last year. To date 56 LIPs grants have been awarded benefitting 27 separate communities across South Lakeland.

SLDC leader, Coun Giles Archibald, said: “These grants are proving to be a popular and highly effective way of supporting worthwhile projects and helping local communities to achieve real results.”