Ref. 28705-24The revival of Faringdon Road Park is underway.

New gates, costing £10,000, have been fitted at Swindon's first public park and former councillor, John Taylor, 60, says they are just the beginning.

He said: "This marks the start of an exciting era for the park, which is well on the way to becoming a safe, peaceful place for people to enjoy."

Since residents reclaimed the park for community use in 2001, Mr Taylor has spearheaded a campaign to restore the park to its former glory.

His efforts, backed by support from residents, helped to secure £45,000 each year from Swindon Council's capital budget for three years.

Mr Taylor said: "There is much more work to be done but at last we are making headway."

Last year the park also benefited from a National Lottery windfall of £60,000

The money is being used to improve the park and escape its bad reputation as a hotspot for prostitution, violence, drug abuse and sex attacks.

New signs, including notice boards, have just arrived in the park and brick plinths, displaying historic bylaws, are being built.

One of the laws, dating back to 1860, warns that anyone who "damages trees or shrubs or enters the park by any way but by the gate will be prosecuted."

Now plans are afoot to introduce children's play facilities and flower gardens.

This will please Katie Ryan, 24, who lives nearby in Dean Street and has two daughters, Chloe, four, and Louise, one.

She said: "The gates are an improvement but there is nothing in the park for children. It is just an open space and needs some swings and goal posts."

In its heyday, the park was used as a cricket and playing field for employees at the Great Western Railway works in Churchward.

Last summer the New Mechanics' Institution Preservation Trust revived the park's children's fete, which dates back to 1866.

The trust is helping organise future improvements for the park.

Trust spokeswoman Martha Parry said: "£90,000 has been spent on getting the park back on track. Now the community will help in designing the children's play area and flower gardens. The revival is an ongoing process and we want to involve the community as much as possible."

Victoria Tagg