THE Astroturf pitches at Hucknall’s Titchfield Park are set to re-open in the summer after a £30,000 revamp.
At present the courts are locked due to misuse but it is hoped that when the work is complete they can return to regular booked usage by local football and tennis clubs.
Works proposed include the replacement of solid board panelling around the courts with a strong metal mesh – commonly seen on small ball courts.
Landscape Architect Andrew Hinchley, from Ashfield District Council, said: “It is hoped that by opening up the pitch visually, we will discourage misuse of the area.
“We currently have problems with youths hiding behind the boards, drinking and damaging the surface and equipment, as well as dog owners using the pitch as a dog exercising area.
“Opening the park up in this way should discourage such activity through informal surveillance and also make the park feel safer by opening views.”
The project has been funded by a Section 106 allocation, money which is provided by housing developers for open space provision and improvement and distributed by local councillors at the Hucknall Area Consultative Group.
Titchfield Park was allocated £117,000, to be used for the pitches as well as skate park
modifications and car park improvements.
The news has been welcomed by residents who wanted to see the courts open again in time for the lighter summer evenings.
Andrew Riley said: “It will be nice to see the pitches used for sport again, as they are supposed to be.
“I think they were definitely in need of a spruce up.”
