An award of £30,000 will be made to Gorton Park for a new skate boarding facility after funds were secured from the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester’s Trust.
Manchester City Council along with partner organisations Friends of Gorton Park and Metropolitan Division of Greater Manchester Police have been working together on a project to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The skate park is a development to provide a resource for young people in Gorton. The scheme was decided after wide consultation with the local community through programmes delivered by Groundwork and the Friends of Gorton Park.
Regular skating events and coaching will be scheduled for the state-of-the-art skate park when the project is completed. The aim is to cut crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and the scheme will be monitored for its effectiveness.
Chair of Friends of Gorton Park, Gloria Barnwell and PC Anna Hopkins have been instrumental in securing the award. They will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Glynn Evans, when the High Sheriff of Manchester, Michael Oglesby, presents them with a cheque at a ceremony on Monday November 26 in Gorton Monastery.
Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Jim Battle said: "This is fantastic news! We are working hard to combat anti-social behaviour across the city with our partners. The skate park will be a well-used resource in Gorton and we are hopeful that this will see a reduction in crime in the area."
Chief Inspector Philip Unsworth, Partnership Liaison Officer, said: "This project is a good example of neighbourhood policing because it is driven by the needs of the local community. Gorton has experienced problems with nuisance behaviour and underage drinking. Friends of Gorton Park have given a great deal of support to the police and Manchester City Council so that they can work together to reduce crime and the fear of crime."
Media contact:
Margaret Blackburn, tel: 0161 234 4014