Close to 150 volunteers rolled up their sleeves Saturday to help rebuild an old park in Sydney's north end.

Louisa Gardens Park is more than 30 years old and has been looking a bit scruffy, so residents of the area decided it was time to spruce things up.

To raise money for the effort, organizers held several events in the year leading up to Saturday's work. They managed to raise $50,000 — half the cost of rebuilding the park.

An organization in Ontario, called Let Them Be Kids, matched the funds. It meant the $100,000 project was able to come to fruition.

Included in the park's overhaul are new benches, covered picnic tables, a butterfly garden, a number of playground sets and three street hockey courts.

Glenna MacNeil, 5, was one of happy helpers who pitched in Saturday.

"All the construction and all the work that I did today is going to be a big help," MacNeil said. "It's so much fun."

Another youngster, Emma Uhma, who is in grade five, said the project generated community spirit.

"Everybody is working together and it's good," she said.

Neighourhood resident Stacey Smith-Sparling said she felt the same way.

"I have two young children and I thought it was a very important project for the community, a great thing to bring everyone together," Smith-Sparling said.