Pictured with the commemorative plaque at the official opening of Golden Park in Hayes, members of the Hillingdon borough and Hayes communities, and Uxbridge College. L-R Councillor Lynne Allen; David Brough, Chair of Hayes Town Partnership; Ajaib Singh Puar, Chair of Hayes Town Business Forum; Lorraine Collins, Executive Director Enterprise and Development at Uxbridge College; Andrew Melvin, Consort to the Deputy Mayor; Laraine Smith, Principal of Uxbridge College; Councillor Carol Melvin, Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon.
A project to transform Uxbridge College’s Hayes Community park with an open-air performance space, a fitness trail, children’s play equipment, a sports court, seating, and a running track was celebrated with a seasonal family event.
The renamed Golden Park in College Way, off Coldharbour Lane, was declared officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon Councillor Carol Melvin, accompanied by her consort Andrew, who unveiled a commemorative plaque. The park’s new name was chosen to mark Uxbridge College and Hillingdon Council’s recent 50th anniversary and the work was completed to celebrate this partnership
The council kindly provided a grant of £80,000 from its Chrysalis Fund, which supports environmental and community projects, with the remaining costs met by the College.
During the event local children and a group from nearby Uxbridge College Children’s Centre got a chance to visit Santa in his grotto and have their faces painted by Hair & Media Make-up students. Adult visitors included local Councillors, and members of Hayes Town Partnership and Hayes Business Forum. Music students also showcased the new performance area, singing acapella Christmas songs.
The students who took part in the launch event are all on courses at the College’s Hayes campus, also in College Way, and other students from the campus will be using the park as part of their extra-curricular activities. A group used the area for jogging, skipping, and working out on the exercise machines for the first time the day after the launch event.
Lorraine Collins from Uxbridge College said: “The College is delighted that our park is transformed into a more welcoming and diverse space offering fitness, leisure and fun for students and the local community alike. We were very pleased to see so many members of the public at our opening event and hope they will continue to make use of and enjoy the park as much as possible. It was also great to see how successful the first student group activity session in the park was.”
Councillor Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration, said: "Since it was established in 2009 the Chrysalis Fund has helped in the delivery of over 100 projects and I am delighted that we have been able to help Uxbridge College create Golden Park for the benefit of both their students and the local residents."
