A COMMUNITY heritage project is set to continue their journey 'back to the future' inviting visitors to step back in time - and deliver a vision that will create a top new visitor attraction for Wales.

Hope's Park in the Past visitors will experience life 2,000 years ago when the Romans first arrived in Britain and will be able to walk in the footsteps of their Celtic ancestors through themed living history landscapes.

In the next few days, essential landscaping will begin to create an attractive reception realm for visitors.

The landscaping scheme is the first phase of an ambitious plan to deliver a world-class heritage and conservation park that aims to generate new jobs for the local community.

Project champion Paul Harston: “Over past 7 years Park in the Past community interest company have invested over £400,000 to transform an abandoned and neglected quarry into a safe community resource that everyone can enjoy.”

To date many local people, schools, community groups and charities have discovered the benefits of one of Flintshire's best kept secrets - a multi-faceted site that offers country walks through woodlands and meadows, volunteering opportunities, abundant wildlife and relaxing leisure activities for all the family.

During the March lockdown, the park remained open and became a haven for hundreds of NHS frontline staff and key workers, and thousands of local people to safely exercise and improve their mental health and wellbeing - a vital green space giving visitors respite from the stresses of the ongoing COVID pandemic.

Kind support from local companies, an army of volunteers and friends in the community has seen the realisation of new leisure activities on the lake and much needed conservation work to safeguard rare species like great crested newts, kingfishers and endangered plants and flowers.

The first phase of essential landscaping work is scheduled to start March 1st and last for approximately 10-12 weeks.

Landscaping will dramatically improve biodiversity, visual amenity and allow families, disabled and infirm visitors safe and easy access to the lake and the rest of the park.

The first phase of the landscaping scheme has full planning permission from Flintshire Planning Authority and is the next stage of an agreed management plan.

Sustainable packaging company Smurfitt Kappa are generously supporting Park in the Past to help them deliver the project as part of their commitment to the community and a plastic free future.

Paul Harston adds: “We want to make a difference and believe our ethos aligns clearly with Smurfit Kappa’s 'Better Planet Packaging' initiative to remove waste from our environment.”

Park in the Past is a local ‘Community Champion of Plastic Free’, an initiative that aims to reduce plastic waste, and is working with Mold Plastic Reduction in the removal of single use plastics.

The park team have recently introduced recyclable corn starch bags for dog walkers and also sell reusable coffee cups to cut down unnecessary plastic and packaging.

In the future when resources become available, the landscaped area will feature wild flower meadows, a children's adventure play area and an earth house for delivering education and green therapies.

The earth house will also provide a new venue for local community groups to meet and run activities.

Members of the local community can see an animated artist's impression which shows the completed landscaping plan for the reception realm by visiting the park's Facebook page - parkinthepast.