A MAYOR has promised a major investment into a town’s park after residents raised concerns over unusable play equipment.

Families in Middlesbrough and visitors have raised concerns over the state of the town’s Albert Park.

The park has been suffering from vandalism and damaged equipment in the play area.

Now, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has addressed concerns with a plan to restore the park to its former glory promising £100,000 in investment.

Mr Preston said: “Middlesbrough has fantastic parks but sadly they’ve been neglected for years.

"The executive team and I are putting that right.

“Middlesbrough needs great parks to help people to get fit, meet friends or just take a walk.

“I will make sure that Middlesbrough’s parks look and feel better than they have for the last ten years - this won’t be easy - but we’ll do it.

"For the last six months myself and the deputy mayor Mieka Smiles have been working hard to find the money to make Albert Park and others cleaner, safer and more fun than they’ve ever been.”

The money will be spent on pontoons to signal the return of rowing and swan boats to the park’s lake.

On top of this a new aeration system will improve the health of the lake, which will be restocked with fish for local anglers.

Improved signage around the park and an augmented reality trail commissioned by Middlesbrough Mela will help visitors navigate.

New play equipment to replace missing children’s swings will be installed and more trees will be planted.

Middlesbrough Councillor Theo Furness for Park ward said: “Everyone I speak to tells me how much Albert Park means to them and how much it is a jewel in the crown of the parks in Middlesbrough.

"Sadly, at this moment in time it looks like it has seen better days.

"The children’s play area pretty unusable and in urgent need of investment.

"The fountain is beginning to show signs of rusting and needs to be refurbished."

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