THE 'drab' state of a Wirral park prompted a community campaign that has raised around £25,000 for new play equipment, benches and trees.

Work on the transformed Coronation Park in Greasby – made possible thanks to a partnership of Friends of Coronation Park Playground, Greasby Community Association and Wirral Council - was praised by Local Government minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to the area today.

New features include stone feature Greas-bee, a talking tube, mushrooms, adventure trail, a wood carving. An avenue of apple trees is also being planted.

Funds for the revamp came from a campaign spearheaded by Friends of Coronation Park members Nicki Farrington, Amy Dinsdale and Katie Dinsdale, three mums from Greasby who had raised concerns about the park’s appearance.

The trio organised coffee mornings, cake sales, hustled businesses for sponsorship and also, successfully applied for an offshore windfarm communities grant.

Nicki Farrington told the Globe: "We came and used the park, thought it was a bit drab, so got into our cars and went to other places in Wirral to use parks that were better than ours.

“So we thought 'why should we have to go elsewhere when we can use our own park?'.

"We approached the council and asked 'why can't our park be better?’ and they said ‘because there’s no money'.

"This was classed as a new park, although it was 2011 since the park last had any work done in it.

So it was nowhere on the radar to have works done.

Praising the authority's involvement, Nicki continued: "It was a bit pie in the sky, so we asked the council 'if we raised the money, would you do the work?'

"Their answer was ‘yes’ so we created a little wish list, they did the plans and everything, for us, told us what we could have and even priced it for us.

"So we set about fundraising for it. Cllr Wendy Clements brought us under the umbrella of Greasby Community Association which gave us charitable status which meant we were able to apply for grants."

Helen O’Donnell, from Greasby Community Association's green and blooming team, added: "One of our long-term volunteers has long volunteered at Ness Gardens, who have donated 15 trees.

"In the coming years there will be an avenue of 15 trees. Part of what we want to is create a place for young and old.

"We just hope, little by little, to improve on the windswept and not very attractive view."

Greasby Conservative councillor Wendy Clements, chairman of Greasby Community Association, said: "We really appreciate Rishi coming along to have a look at what we’ve done.

"So many people have given up their time, energy and expertise to make it all come together and work.

"Friends of Coronation Park Playground worked on this for two years, which is a phenomenal achievement, working with help from the council, but also their own dynamism and the way that they fundraised.”

Mr Sunak told the Globe: "Part of my portfolio is parks and green spaces and I'd heard about the wonderful work that had been done in the local community at the park, so wanted to see for myself.

"It's a great example of a community coming together, putting something into their local park and making a huge difference.

"The local community’s energy and determination to improve their local environment is absolutely to be commended.

"It's about people giving up their time to make a real difference. They are doing a fantastic job."