A multi-million-pound redevelopment of a historic Bradford park has paid off - attracting a million visits in a year.
The results of the first electronic count for Lister Park since its £3.6 million refurbishment have shown visitor numbers have increased dramatically. Now park bosses hope to recreate the success as Saltaire's Roberts Park becomes next for a complete makeover.
David Talbot, head of parks and landscapes services at Bradford Council, said: "We have now had one million visits to Lister Park in the past 12 months and that is an amazing figure. A lot of these people will have travelled specially to the park, and lot will be returning again and again."
Counts were done physically last August and then an electronic counter was installed on the main gate into the Manningham park which took readings for the following 12 months.
The results were then compiled using an estimate for the other access points into the park.
He said the park had proved an ideal location for sporting events and was also attracting a number of school parties.
"We are trying to bring parks in the Bradford district back to life and Lister Park is a classic example," he said. "There is now national recognition that Lister Park is a good example of a park regeneration scheme."
In Roberts Park work is under way to protect the shelters in the park, which are listed structures, from damage through vandalism. A bid is being put together for lottery money to restore it to its former glory.
A new community group has been set up via the Council called the Friends of Roberts Park and members have started looking at projects and events that can be held there to encourage more people to use it.
They will be meeting tonight at Saltaire Cricket Club, from 7pm.
The park, which opened in 1871, is in urgent need of restoration as it has been heavily vandalised in recent years. It is listed in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Specific Historic Interest and is home to some of Saltaire's most important buildings and monuments, including a bronze statue of Sir Titus Salt, the founder of the village.
The restoration scheme - which will probably cost in the region of £2 million - will see the features of the park, including the historic lodge house and the Half Moon Pavilion, brought back to their former glory.
If the bid is successful, it is hoped that the Roberts Park will be fully restored by 2008.
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