Places features

The land for Barnes Park, set in a beautiful valley through which the Bishopwearmouth Burn flows, was originally bought for the princely sum of £8,500 in 1904.

Three years later, when the depression of trade struck in 1907, the laying out of the park was started - this became a source of employment for a number of practical gardeners from the area, with a total of 2,798 men being employed.

The park was then opened in August 1909.

The bandstand is earmarked for TLC

Many of the established trees were retained with oak, ash, beech and elm trees constituting its main wooded growth.

Paths meandered throughout the park in all directions and at the west side, on the most elevated piece of ground, two bowling greens, tennis courts, and a cafe were established.

The park has since been home to a wide range of wildlife and with nesting boxes being provided, breeding birds have regularly returned to the park over the years.

Water hens, starlings, linnets, snipes, tits, diving ducks, and chaffinches can be frequently observed.

And with time taking its toll, the time has come for new life for the old park.

Funding will open the gates to a wider public

The plans...

After a two year bidding process, Sunderland City Council has secured £2.4m to restore the historic features and to redevelop its amenities for future generations.

The restoration will include the canon, bandstand, railings and the park gates, as well as developing the park for all to enjoy with play spaces for all ages and a sensory garden.

Cllr Mel Speding says that this all happened with the support from local residents: "This success is also down to the support of the many people involved, including the citizens of Sunderland who gave up their time for the consultations and the local friends and community groups."

The all important park plants will also be in line for attention. Excess shrubbery and tree coverage will be removed and the lake will be totally rejuvenated.

And it's not just Barnes Park that is the pride of Sunderland - Mowbray Park was named Britain's Best Park in 2008 and was itself regenerated with Heritage Lottery funding.

So this all bodes well for the future of Barnes Park and its precious heritage.