This year York's Rowntree Park will have an extra special birthday celebration with its biggest birthday party ever to celebrate 82 years of opening.

On top of Sunday's (13 July) traditional birthday party, City of York Council and the Friends of Rowntree Park, have organised Warrington's Fair Ground, The Model Boat Regatta, Sportsmania and The York Gang Show.

Sunday's party involves an exciting afternoon of entertainment for all ages including live music, children's crafts, Henna tattoos, charity stalls and animal buns workshops. Berwick Kaler will perform the traditional cutting of the birthday cake at 3.00pm.

Partygoers will be able to travel to the party in style with a rickshaw taxi ride. People travelling by car to the event are being asked not to use the park's car park but instead to park at St. Georges car park before being taken to the centre of the celebrations in the unusual transport.

Throughout this week, finishing touches are being put in place on a programme of restoration work at the park. This includes repainting the Grade II listed Terry Avenue gates, installation of the new gates off Butcher Terrace and the 1920's Richardson Street gates complete with new lamp. Also this weekend the newly restored canal and cascade will be opened.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Charles Hall and the Sheriff of York, Councillor Keith Orrell, will view all the restoration work during the afternoon celebrations.

For further details on all of the events contact the YORtime Resource Centre on 01904 553440.