I can only speak for what goes on in Memorial Park but no, that isn't the case there. The money the Friends have raised themselves has generally been spent on extras in the park, like the sculpture (the council contributed to that via the Area Committee and an Arts Grant anyway) the memorial plaque, the circular bench (another council grant) and the Breathing Places, which is Lottery Funded.
The council have also contributed a very significant portion of the cost of the new play equipment (approx 90%). So although it may be a result of our lobbying and campaigning (and I like to think so) the Council certainly haven't been tight with funds in Memorial Park and I would not accept any criticism of them in that respect as to date they have been very supportive of our efforts.
I don’t understand why you are having so much trouble with your proposed sign on the Middlewood Way, it seems a good idea to me, as it should tie in with the new Multi-Modal-User-Trial that will eventually run through Brabyns Park and over the Iron Bridge when that is finished being restored.
I assume you have written to our local councillors about your proposal? I would have thought that this would be an idea that Craig Wright in particular would support, being a key player in the Sustrans bid for the bridge over the weir down at the Dale, which would also tie in nicely with the Middlewood Way.