A children's play area in Cockermouth, that has been closed since June for safety reasons, is to be resurfaced and then reopened at the end of August.

Memorial Gardens park is owned by Cockermouth Town Council and town clerk Sheila Brown said: "We are hoping works will commence the week starting August 26. It will only take a few days to do and then the kids will be able to play on it pretty much straight away after."

The reopening of the park will come as a relief to parents and grandparents living in the area, many have posted comments on Cockermouth Town Facebook page that the park has been a big miss during the summer holidays.

Jodie Downey said: "I am having to take my children out of Cockermouth such a lot these summer holidays to find fun things to do. I’m really shocked that the memorial gardens is closed during the holidays leaving us with only two small parks in town and there is such a lot of wasted space in Harris park where there could be such a lot to do. A cafe would do so well up there, with ice-cream.

"Cockermouth really needs a splash pad like the one in Silloth and we could have a crazy golf and better updated parks things like that would bring and keep such a lot of people in the town as we are having to go to Keswick today for a better park and things to do."

Michael Willis said: "Totally agree, nothing to do and in my opinion not a great deal to bring families with small children to the town."

Lisa Jane Ferguson said: "It was only the other day my mum said how fantastic a cafe would be at Harris park. A cafe West like Keswick would be fab! We always go to Keswick as there's just so much more for kids."

Alana Bell said: "I have two grandchildren visiting ours and can't think of anything in Cockermouth for them to do."

Rose Sands said: "A splash area and crazy golf/golf putting area would be great. Also some dirt ramps for bikes."

Sarah Hirst, from Cockermouth, was making use of Harris park during the holidays, with daughter Charlie, four and her nephew Frazer, three.

She said that the park was brilliant and they had been to the river too. She liked that the play area in Harris park is enclosed, safe, clean and that dogs are not allowed in the play area.

She thought it was good that the Memorial Gardens park is due to reopen soon and agreed that a waterpark would be a great idea in Harris park. She said: "As long as the apparatus is ok it's nice to do things like this. This one (Harris park) is always busy after school. Silloth is busy too, kids love the water. Bitts Park in Carlisle is really good with a waterpark during certain hours, it's always busy. There's a sand pit at Carlisle that is always popular. Keswick park has got a sandpit too. I'm not complaining about these though, it's a free resource and nice to get out. They are free, easy and handy."

Manon Plouffe, owner of Wild Zucchinis, said: "I'd like to see a wet weather family activity based place to attract more families and tourists. Keswick's got the climbing wall, puzzle place, and Maryport has got the aquarium and Clip 'n Climb, people come to the lakes to be entertained.

She has also seen outside gyms and think one of these would work in Cockermouth.

She said: "I've seen outside gyms for grown ups, children and tourists - we've got to create something that will be attractive to bring people in from Keswick for example."

A spokesman for Allerdale council, who own much of Harris Park said: "We're always looking to improve the facilities in our parks where possible, and do what we can to provide activities for children and young people either directly or through grants and funding to other organisations. We've recently refurbished the tennis courts in Harris Park. And our leisure centre in Cockermouth provides a large number of clubs and activities. One such scheme currently available is the popular 10p swims for kids, meaning cost shouldn't be a barrier to get in the pool."

The Memorial Gardens park was closed after it was discovered that the safety surface was curling up at the edges, causing a trip hazard.

A contractor has been appointed to resurface the play area. Work will start week beginning August 26, and is expected to take a few days.

More information is available on Cockermouth Leisure centre facilities at: www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/allerdale/cockermouth-leisure-centre