Mansfield District Council and Berry Hill Park trustees meeting today

Trustees of Berry Hill Park will meet with members of Mansfield District Council and the mayor at 10am today to find a solution to ongoing financial problems at the park.

The trustees of the park announced earlier this month that unless a deal can be made to secure its financial future, the privately owned park is set to be closed to the public at the end of the month.

Berry Hill Park’s trustees run the green space for the Coal Industry and Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).

Its mission statement is to run the park for the people of Mansfield, however the trustees – who are legally liable for the park – say enough is enough and they cannot continue to run the park which is "haemorrhaging" money.

After a protest took place against the closure on November 10, Mansfield District Council, CISWO and the trustees plan to meet this morning and mayor Kate Allsop has asked the trustees to keep the park open until November 30.

At a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, Ms Allsop said that Berry Hill Park is a significant asset to the district and she does not want to see it close.

The council has received a request from the Trustees of Berry Hill Park to transfer corporate trusteeship to the council and help to keep the park open.

A statement after the meeting from the council said: "The council has supported the park in the past and will consider all options when we meet with the Trustees on November 22.

"It is important that we fight for this park to stay open and the Mayor encouraged community groups and friends groups to support the council."

Ms Allsop also confirmed that the council will consider maintaining the park and becoming corporate trustees.

In a motion to the council, Councillor Stephen Garner requested that the council pledges to explore all options to ensure continued provision for Berry Hill Park.

The motion also requested that the park shall not be used for the building of dwellings for profit or gain.