A PARK which was donated to the people of Kendal by the widow of a popular doctor is at the centre of a quarrel between the town's civic society and the council.

In 1929 Nobles Rest, at the end of Maude Street, was dedicated in the memory of local surgeon Samuel Clarke Noble by his widow Mary.

It was intended as a place for the aged and the young to enjoy but now plans by South Lakeland District Council to spend £150,000 upgrading it have met with opposition.

"We think it is beautiful as it is," said Patricia Hovey, secretary of Kendal Civic Society.

She said she agreed the park could do with upgrading by improving drainage, adding an entrance close to Marks and Spencers and installing seats and a footpath around the edge.

But argued plans to add exercise equipment, an information board and a peace garden -which would require a memorial stone to be removed - were 'over the top'.

"It was left to the people of Kendal as a quiet area and we think it is completely unnecessary and a waste of money," she added.

"I do a lot of guided walks and people are always saying how beautiful it is."

A consultation was launched in October last year by SLDC and Kendal Town Council who asked for people's thoughts about how to best develop the park.

A SLDC spokesperson said: “An extensive consultation with all interested parties and residents has already taken place when various ideas and proposals were put forward for the enhancement of Nobles Rest.

“As part of that process a Friends of Nobles Rest group has been formed to work alongside the council to develop a masterplan for the site.

“The consultation itself is now closed but the responses are currently being assessed with the Friends’ volunteer group.

“No decisions have yet been taken on what work will be carried out and discussions are still taking place, but it would be fair to say that some of the issues raised by the Civic Society have also been discussed by the Friends group.’’