There was excitement as a £2.2 million project to restore Barrow Park to its former glory was unveiled in July 2002.
Barrow Borough Council had just received confirmation of a £1.545m Heritage Lottery grant towards the work.
SMILES: The park had been a popular attraction for children like those seen enjoying the sunshine in 1995
The council had earmarked £700,000 towards the extensive project, which aimed to return the park and its buildings to their original design.
It had taken four years to gain funding.
Council leader Councillor Terry Waiting said: “This is a significant event that will allow us to restore one of the council’s most valuable assets to its original condition.”
Landscape Design Associates and council officers had already completed initial designs for the project.
VISION: Council estates manager Steve Warbrick, leader Terry Waiting and mayor Dave Piddock look at plans
The Friends of Barrow Park, the Model Boat club and other park users had also contributed to the plans.
A final design team was to be appointed by September and it was hoped the restoration would be finished by summer 2003.
Consulting engineers Owen Williams, whose offices were based in park buildings, would assist in setting out the designs and completing the work, reported The Mail.
The project would include emptying and cleaning the boating lake and building a new bandstand and pavilion.
REVAMP: Barrow Park had been identified as being in need of a transformation, with plans being revealed in 2002 for a multi-million-pound restoration to bring it back to its best
The pavilion would provide catering facilities, meeting rooms, education facilities and public toilets.
Council estates manager Steve Warbrick said: “An element of the restoration will be undertaken as a training programme.”
New flowerbeds, patios and paths would be created, park gates and walls restored and CCTV cameras installed.
Trees would be planted and the War Memorial and the greenhouses in the 42-acre park refurbished.
PLAYING: Sarah, aged six, and her father Gary Pendleton, of Newbarns, in Barrow Park in 1994
A new water feature was also planned. A putting green would be laid and a children’s play area built.
The council had appointed a new park manager, horticultural trainee and park ranger, who would help develop and refurbish the park.
The restoration would be carried out in the style of the park’s original designer and architect Thomas Mawson.
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