Accrington park to get £100,000 upgrade

An Accrington park is to see its sports pavilion brought back into use and a second artificial cricket wicket installed as part of a £100,000 upgrade.

The cash will be spent at the town’s Bullough Park between Park Crescent and Miller Fold.

The additional funding was approved for 2026/27 as part of the Hyndburn Council’s budget last month.

The cash will be used to carry out improvements to the pavilion, bringing it back into use for local sports teams, the installation of a second new artificial cricket wicket,  and for phase three of the extensive biodiversity works already taking place at the site.

These projects are funded by the council’s £1.5 million Pride in Place Impact Fund allocation from the government.

Transformation of the park’s community woodland will be completed with a new path connection from Willows Lane, improving access for families and people of all abilities, entrance features and waymarking.

And there will be fun workshops for people to get involved and give their ideas for creative features.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Munsif Dad said: “I am proud of Hyndburn’s beautiful parks and green spaces, and we are delighted to be able to allocate £100,000 for improvements to Bullough Park in Springhill Ward.

“Improving access to sports facilities has been a priority for this council.

“Bringing the pavilion back into use, alongside the installation of a second new artificial cricket wicket will help increase use of the park by many grassroots sports teams.

“In addition, more funding for biodiversity projects will build on the successful work already carried out at the site alongside our friends at the Prospects Foundation.

“Bullough park is beautiful green space and it is our ambition to continue the good work with a view to applying for Green Flag accreditation for Bullough Park in 2027.”

Hyndburn currently benefits from 11 Green Flag Awards for 2025-26, the most of all districts in Lancashire.

The significant funds will build on work already carried out at the woodland site in the initial phases of the project, which saw enhanced entrances from Miller Fold Avenue, Willows Lane and the main park to prevent motorbikes accessing the site.

This was followed up by extensive environmental improvements to create a series of small wetland scrapes and a brand-new pond.

New footpaths and steps have also been installed to improve access to the site.

A comprehensive tree planting programme has since seen 3,600 trees planted, which was completed at a forest fun day in December attended by 50 local residents.