AN improvement project at a Kendal town centre park, enjoyed by people seeking rest and relaxation, has begun.

South Lakeland District Council is spending £150,000 upgrading Noble's Rest with an additional £15,000 from Kendal Town Council to make improvements to Town View Field.

Eighty beech whips were planted by volunteers, SLDC staff and Continental Landscapes last week, which follows maintenance work that has been carried out over the last year.

In addition, 4,000 bulbs were planted by children from Stramongate Primary School, Kendal, in the adjacent Town View Field

A consultation was launched in October 2014 by SLDC and Kendal Town Council, which asked for the community’s thoughts on how best to upgrade Noble’s Rest.

Since then, there have been various meetings with residents, including an open day in the local library and a walk around the park with landscape architects.

A Noble’s Rest Friends group has also been established to help develop plans for the park and raise extra funding for the improvement works.

“We have worked closely with residents throughout this process and that is reflected in the planned works for the park," said a SLDC spokesman.

“The Noble’s Rest project will upgrade the park for residents by improving access, drainage and through the installation of better seating.”

In 1929 Noble’s Rest, located at the end of Maude Street, was donated to the community, to commemorate local surgeon Samuel Clarke Noble, by his widow Mary.