The latest event at Backhouse Park in Ashbrooke saw more than 150 people gather for a Children’s Day at the park, which also coincided with the forthcoming Refugee Week.
Organised by ICOS (International Community Association of Sunderland), it saw families enjoying the new equipment at the play park and more.
St Michael’s ward councillor, Michael Dixon, said: “Myself and ward colleagues were very pleased to support the occasion with some of our own allocated funding, working with The East Area Committee at the council. We particularly liked the idea of a Children's Day as its major theme
“It was, therefore, a great sight to see the park's play area, which has quite recently benefitted from added equipment obtained through teamwork between ICOS, Sunderland Council and the St Michael's Councillors, so full of children of various nationalities, really enjoying themselves.
“There were also many other stalls to keep the children entertained and families well-fed and for a few hours it was a really great example of communities getting together and having a fun time on a sunny Saturday afternoon. My colleague, Cllr Antony Mullen, also came along and we both extend sincere congratulations for all the hard work by the team at ICOS for providing yet another successful event.”
5. Family fun
The day featured games, sports, creative activities, mindfulness workshops, face painting and food stalls. | ICOS
6. Park life
More than 150 people attended the event which took place on Saturday, May 31. | ICOS
7. Wave of improvements
There's been a number of improvements in the park, which has entrances on Ryhope Road and in Ashbrooke, in recent years , led by the dedicated East Rangers team and volunteers from ICOS (International Community Organisation of Sunderland). | ICOS
8. An historic green space
The park has a long history in the city and was originally the garden for Ashburne House. Once the grounds for the grand family home of Thomas William Backhouse, he gifted the park, formerly Ashburne Park, to the Corporation of Sunderland in 1922 who named it Backhouse Park in his honour. Hugely influential on Wearside, the Backhouses were Quaker bankers who had the house and gardens built for them. Passionate horticulturalists and botanists, they left a rich legacy in the city and it was philanthropist Edward Backhouse, who became one of the founding fathers of the Sunderland Echo in 1873. | ICOS