EVERYTHING has come up roses for Elsecar Park with Yorkshire in Bloom applauding its popularity and its 'dedicated volunteers'.
The park won a prestigious gold rose award from the judges who said its range of facilities was clearly the reason it was so popular.
The picnic and sandpit area, bandstand performance site, well maintained terraced gardens, children's activity area and café - and a reservoir with nature and wildlife spots - were 'all part of an award-winning park which hosted a range of events and activities through the year'.
Yorkshire in Bloom also said the high levels of maintenance of a public park, with considerable visitor numbers, were to be applauded.
Judges remarked: "This is achieved with the practical support of a number of dedicated volunteers, particularly in the terraced garden and reservoir wildlife areas."
Judges suggested further areas of development would be embarking on a programme of infrastructure refurbishment and repair. This would ensure future generations continued to enjoy the park.
Linda Webster, of the Friends of Elsecar Park group, said: "This is brilliant news for the park. It shows what the council can do. You have got to go a long way to find somewhere that has so many things in it for people to do."
Barnsley Council announced this month that it will no longer have funds to repair or replace play equipment, and concerns were raised last week about what impact this might have on an attraction like Elsecar Park.
But Linda said: "The park is a flagship for the council and a tourist attraction in its own right. Over the winter, the Friends will be looking for a new project to do in the park."
