Coronation Park is set for significant investment to create an improved and attractive park for both local residents and visitors to the town.

The improvement works will build upon the heritage and existing focal aspects found within the park, such as the flower beds, but also improve it so that more people can enjoy the public spaces in different ways, including for events and markets.

Whilst enabling works has included the removal of 13 existing trees last week, some of which were in poor health or dying, 18 new semi mature trees are to be planted within the park, including hornbeams, cherry, pear, and maple trees.

The following is the most up to date information:

• The improvements to the park have received full planning permission approval.
• This was after a series of work shops with local community groups including the Loftus Regeneration Group, and also working with the local community champion who is a business owner on the high street.  There was also information provided at Loftus Library and advertised by the Council on its website.
• 71.3% of respondents to the public consultation thought that the designs allow for an improved facility and 72.4% of people scored the design proposals strongly in favour.
• WB Construction have been using part of the park as a works road and compound since September 2022 to allow access to enable the building of the new library extension onto Duncan Place. This is temporary and the works road will be converted into the boulevard avenue linking Duncan Place to the new car park facility.
• Teesside company Seymour Civil Engineering Contractor Ltd are the nominated construction company for the park improvement work contract from March 2023 and aims to complete the project by the end of 2023.
• Enabling works has included the removal of 13 existing trees (2 were dead and 2 were failing).
• The 2 memorial trees have been protected and the memorial plaques will be relocated into the new memorial area once built by Seymours.
• 18 semi mature trees are to be planted within the park and include hornbeams, cherry, pear, and maple trees.  Also rose beds and other shrubbery will be planted around the memorial area and stone masons bank, along with areas of floral lawn mix to improve the biodiversity of the park.
• The park proposals are within budget and to timescales expected.
• The Council owns and maintains the park, on behalf of the Loftus Community, and improvement works comply with all legal requirements with no breach of any historic covenant. 
• The park area is being extended to areas around Duncan Place and there will be no overall loss of green space once the new 17 bay car park is built by Seymour.
• We appreciate the public’s continued support and there will be times of disruption around the park. Once built the rejuvenated park with provide a new events space, memorial area, car park, improved linkages to the high street, new seating areas, and a projector wall; all fully funded by the Future High Street Fund provided by central Government.
• The Government grant is a one off externally funded opportunity to allow a major investment in to this much loved park which will open it up to other users and provide a fantastic facility for the public and visitors to the town.