THE re-opening of Henry Reynolds Gardens after six months of renovations was a big day for residents of the Bushwood area of Leytonstone.

More than 200 people returned to the park to see the transformations made possible with a £120,000 grant from Waltham Forest Council and the Big Lottery Fund's Transforming Your Space project.

Council leader Clyde Loakes officially opened the park to reveal improved facilities for children of all ages, parents, carers and the elderly.

The fun day organised by Matt House from the Friends of Henry Reynolds Gardens and supported by the Green Spaces staff featured fun for all.

Mr Bubbles and Snow White entertained children, who played on the bouncy castle and had their faces painted.

The Star of India in the nearby High Road served a selection of curries and bhajis, while the landlord of the North Star pub in Browning Road kept the crowd refreshed with beverages.

In the gardens, sycamore trees have been trimmed, walls and fencing added to define the boundaries more clearly and the Bushwood gate has been recessed.

Sightlines were created to encourage pedestrians to walk through the eastern section of the park and improve the safety of the gardens.

Local street wardens attended the fun day to give out safety advice and security devices.

Other changes in the gardens include resurfacing the paths and play spaces next to the existing playgrounds, and building a zigzag concrete wall to act as a meeting place for young people and parents and seating for stage audiences.

The terraced flower beds bordering Bush Road have been removed and the beds re-landscaped with gingko boloba trees in front of the two landmark poplars.

The Westmoreland stone boulders have been moved to the wildlife corner alongside the garden walls of the housing estate, and the rockery has been replaced with a new stage complete with a basketball hoop.