Hawthorne Park at Thornton

Hawthorne Park is a community park at Thornton, with a newly refurbished children’s play area

Opening the Refurbished Children’s Play Area

Representatives from Wyre Council and The Hawthorne Park Trust came in September 2025 to officially re-open the newly refurbished children’s play area at Hawthorne Park in Thornton. Local children from Baines’ Endowed Primary School and Millfield High School proudly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion. The Mayor of Wyre, Cllr Steve Nicholls, was also in attendance to celebrate the reopening and show support for the community-led improvements.

The refurbishment has been made possible thanks to a successful partnership and a mix of funding sources. £40,000 from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, £10,000 from Wyre’s Community Lottery Fund and a £10,000 donation from The Hawthorne Park Trust. Plus £30,000 from Wyre Council as part of its ongoing commitment to improving parks and open spaces across the borough.

New play equipment at Hawthorne Park

The upgraded play area now features a range of exciting new equipment designed to encourage active, imaginative play. Children from early years to 12 years of age can enjoy multi-activity units, a sand activity area, swings, and rotating and rocking play pieces, all set within new, safer surfacing.

The improvements also enhance accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring more children can enjoy the space. These new additions complement existing equipment aimed at older children and teenagers, broadening the appeal of the site for families and community groups.

The reopening of Hawthorne Park’s play area is a celebration of collaboration, investment, and the shared goal of creating vibrant, welcoming places for everyone.

Regenerating Hawthorne Park

An aerial photo taken in 2001 showed a small play area in one corner, broken concrete and a muddy field used as a dog exercise and toilet area.

In 2003 Jenie Phillips (Thornton Action Group) met local vicar Rev Paul Clemence at a Strategic Partnership meeting. During a discussion session the idea of improving the small play area was born. Both people realised that increased house building was bringing more families into Thornton. But there were very few open spaces for play and four swings in the whole of Thornton!

Wyre Council are owners of the land so had to be involved and insisted that the Community must be consulted. Meetings were held with residents, Millfield School Council, local Police, youth groups, council officers and members. The result was an ambitious plan for a Community Park with play equipment for all age groups, lawns, paths, trees and a wild life area. The big question was – how to pay for all this?

Wyre Council had some funds to offer but not nearly enough for the full scheme drawn up by the Council’s Environmental Design Officer. With more and more houses swallowing up more and more open space – and more young people needing space to play and exercise, a small scheme was just not good enough.

Hard Work!

Then followed a roller coaster ride of six years involving hard work, hope and despondency and sleepless nights. The formation of a Charitable Trust, a 50 year lease and much form filling to get sufficient funds.

Eventually work began on Phase 1 in July 2007 which opened in July 2008. Followed by Phase 2 – opened in April 2009, and Phase 3 in May 2010. We celebrated with a party at the Marsh Road Youth Centre with lots of guests. Including then Mayor and Mayoress of Wyre, Councillor and Mrs Forsyth. This was followed by a wonderful Community Fun Day in August (2010).

Generous funding has come from Wyre Council and Lancashire County Council. Different ‘pots’ of Big Lottery Funding and Lancashire Environment Fund. Plus Rotary, local businesses, and generous community support too.

It started out as a mini-project to improve the little play area with a project costing £10,000. Quickly becoming Hawthorne Park for the community at a cost of £480,000! It is jointly managed by Wyre Council and the Hawthorne Park Trust. Numerous Friends of the Park help, pick up litter, report problems and generally give it lots of TLC.

In July 2011 the ugly concrete fencing was transformed by the mural showing scenes in Thornton. From the Mill to the Estuary, it was designed and spray painted by artist Gavin Renshaw people of all ages.

The Park has won numerous awards – including the coveted Green Flag, given for an excellent well managed, countryside space. Providing an inviting exciting Park for the entire community.

Eggstravaganza at Hawthorne Park!

Easter Bonnets left to right Enid Vindel, Paul Clemence, Jenie Phillips and Ann Shearman (Trustees)

An eggciting eggstravaganza took place on Hawthorne Park on Easter Monday afternoon. It was organised by the Hawthorne Park Trust, with help from Thornton Action Group members and the Wyre Countryside Rangers.

In an Easter Egg Hunt, more than 70 children under 12 raced around the Park hunting chalk eggs. They were rewarded with chocolate egg prizes from the Giant Easter Chicken (aka Trustee Bill Joynson).

The arrival of the Giant Spring Chicken greeted by the Chair of Hawthorne Park Trust Paul Clemence

A Nature Quiz followed with Wyre ranger Mike Tattersall. Then finally an egg throwing competition with the winner being advised to offer his services to the England cricket team!

From left to right Howard Phillips (Trustee and TAG), a volunteer Wyre Ranger, Mike Tattersall (Wyre Ranger). Enid Vindel (Trustee), Paul Clemence (Trustee), Jenie Phillips (Trustee and TAG), Edith Anderson (TAG), Ann Shearman (Trustee)