A question mark is hanging over the future of Britain’s smallest park, located in Darlington.
Pictures have revealed how the Gerald Lee Pocket Park is looking today, compared to how it did nearly two years ago.
The front of the park is now looking unkempt and overgrown, with the shopfront of Nelsons Sculptors still visible to the left of the entrance.
Watson’s Memorials, however, is now operating from the site with access at the back of the park.
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Officially opened in 2014, the park measures just 25 square metres and for the past eight years has served as a community space.
The tiny and quirky space has been loved by residents and passers-by ever since. However, barriers and railings have recently been noticed blocking it off.
An advertising billboard has been at the entrance of the park for many years, but now curiosity is building over the future of this plot of land.
Councillor Gerald Lee said: "As you will appreciate the advertising hording that was erected some time ago was looking worse for wear and as the council are keen to upgrade and improve such structures, a decision was taken to replace the old hording with something more appropriate for the 21st century.
"In so doing the Little Mini park has had to be taken out of service while the changes are made - but the mini park will return to an even better standard than it was in the hope that the refurbished park will set an example to other communities who have a small area of 'waste' land to create a cultivated mini park in their own neighbourhood which could provide an oasis of colour into an area which currently is probably covered with weeds and litter."
On social Darlington residents have been asking "what on earth is going on" with their beloved park.
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Mike Bage took to the popular Facebook group, You Know You’re From Darlo When, and asked: “Where’s the tiny park on Victoria Road gone? Is it coming back?”
Comments flooded in about the possibility of the existing advertising billboard being replaced with a digital one.
Wendy Duncan said: “It was always hit and miss whether it was lovely or a right sight, I know it wasn't the council that maintained it. It was some of the residents of South Terrace.”
Jo Neesam said: “I only found out it was a tiny park the other week. When I noticed the billboard had gone I realised the park wasn’t there. I hope they put some flowers in or a rockery.”
Watson's Memorials was approached for comment.
Would you like to see the park restored to its former glory?
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