VISITORS have given the £4m Greenhead Park revamp an early thumbs up.

The Kirklees Council regeneration work is nearing completion with a new play area, cafe and boating lake already finished.

The conservatory at the Greenhead Road entrance is also taking shape.

Visitors were impressed by the new-look park yesterday afternoon.

Four-year-old Harry Long from Salendine Nook has already tried out the lake with his remote-controlled boat.

Dad Gareth, 32, said: “Apparently we are one of the first to use the lake and I think it’s excellent.

“Harry got the boat for Christmas and he’s been very keen to use it.”

Gareth was accompanied by his wife Joanne, 31, four-month-old son Freddie, nine-year-old nephew Owen Brown and 14-year-old niece Charlotte.

Gareth said: “We went to the new play area, which was good, and the cafe is much improved as well. I think the park is getting better all the time.”

Fixby couple Richard and Christine Lyons were also using a remote-controlled boat on the lake yesterday lunchtime.

Richard, 45, said: “The boating lake is nice – people are always attracted to water.

“The park was run-down a few years ago, like the sports centre and the roads and other things run by the council.”

Christine, 49, who uses a wheelchair, is happy with the changes.

She said: “It’s a lot easier to get around now. Some of the pavements used to be atrocious but the paths are really smooth now and it’s a lot easier to get around.”

Michael Hirst, 78, of Marsh is also happy with the improvements.

“I go through the park every day to keep my legs going and I think the changes are fantastic,” he said.

“The park was shocking before this work started, it was neglected.

“But I’m very proud of the park now, I think it’s lovely. The conservatory is going to look great when it’s finished.”

Aliki Revy,44, and Tina Maximen, 49, were also enjoying the park yesterday.

Aliki, from Lindley, said: “I remember Greenhead Park being great when I was a kid but then it became like a poor cousin compared with Beaumont Park or Manor Heath in Halifax.

“Simple stuff like the new seats have made the park better.”

Tina, who lives in Taylor Hill, added: “There used to be nothing here, the park was tired.

“But I think it’s great now and it will be lovely when the conservatory opens”.