West End Park, March, has been given a £6,000 make over thanks to Clarion Housing’s charity arm.

Cambs Times: Checking out the new matted footpath on the March parkrun route are, from left, Emma Geary, Sports and physical activity projects officer at Fenland District Council; Yvonne Ogden, neighbourhood investment manager at Clarion Futures Communities; Simon Render, March parkrun director; Cllr Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council's portfolio holder for the environment; Bob Ollier, the Council's parks and open spaces manager, and representatives from Fenland Leisure Products.Checking out the new matted footpath on the March parkrun route are, from left, Emma Geary, Sports and physical activity projects officer at Fenland District Council; Yvonne Ogden, neighbourhood investment manager at Clarion Futures Communities; Simon Render, March parkrun director; Cllr Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council's portfolio holder for the environment; Bob Ollier, the Council's parks and open spaces manager, and representatives from Fenland Leisure Products. (Image: Archant)

The housing association – recently in trouble with hundreds of social housing tenants for late repairs to boilers – has donated the cash through Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation they set up.

Two new footpaths have been created, grass pot holes filled in, exposed tree roots removed and overgrown trees trimmed back.

The work has carried out by Fenland Council’s gardens and open spaces contractor, ISS and the matting path was provided by Fenland Leisure Products.

Cambs Times: Pictured on the new bark footpath at West End Park are, from left, Garry Knight from ISS; Bob Ollier, Parks and open spaces manager at Fenland District Council; Simon Render, March parkrun Director; Yvonne Ogden, neighbourhood investment manager at Clarion Futures Communities; Emma Geary, sports and physical activity projects officer at Fenland District Council; Cllr Peter Murphy, the Council's portfolio holder for the environment, and James Aldridge from ISS.Pictured on the new bark footpath at West End Park are, from left, Garry Knight from ISS; Bob Ollier, Parks and open spaces manager at Fenland District Council; Simon Render, March parkrun Director; Yvonne Ogden, neighbourhood investment manager at Clarion Futures Communities; Emma Geary, sports and physical activity projects officer at Fenland District Council; Cllr Peter Murphy, the Council's portfolio holder for the environment, and James Aldridge from ISS. (Image: Archant)

Simon Render, March parkrun director, is delighted with the improvements.

He said: “The fantastic work has improved the safety and sustainability of the park with a much safer and more durable running surface.

“This is reflected by our numbers which are up to 170 runners/joggers/walkers weekly at a time of year when numbers traditionally drop.”

Cambs Times: Pictured on the new bark footpath at West End Park are, from left, Garry Knight and James Aldridge from ISS; Bob Ollier, Parks and Open Spaces Manager at Fenland District Council; Yvonne Ogden, neighbourhood investment manager at Clarion Futures Communities; Simon Render, March parkrun director; Emma Geary, sports and physical activity projects officer at Fenland District Council, and Cllr Peter Murphy, the Council's portfolio holder for the environment.Pictured on the new bark footpath at West End Park are, from left, Garry Knight and James Aldridge from ISS; Bob Ollier, Parks and Open Spaces Manager at Fenland District Council; Yvonne Ogden, neighbourhood investment manager at Clarion Futures Communities; Simon Render, March parkrun director; Emma Geary, sports and physical activity projects officer at Fenland District Council, and Cllr Peter Murphy, the Council's portfolio holder for the environment. (Image: Archant)

The March parkrun is one of thousands of free 5km parkruns held around the county and is said to “encourage people of all fitness levels to walk, jog and run ever Saturday morning”.

The event sees between 100 to 200 weekly runners take part in the four-lap course around the park, which over the winter has taken its toll on the ground.

Councillor Peter Murphy, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “These improvements have made the park more accessible for everyone to enjoy, including runners, dog walkers and parents with buggies.”