Plans to reinvigorate Sherwood Avenue Park, Newark, which were shaped by ideas and feedback from the local community, have been unveiled.

The proposed plans for the site include areas for all ages, such as:

The Welcome Area – Visitors will be greeted into the park through this area, which will feature a range of planting, from meadow-style to a new avenue of ornamental trees. New and improved park entrances will be created, one for pedestrian visitors and another for vehicle access.

Outdoor area for local traders and artists, such as local coffee or food businesses, or local performers and entertainers.

The Active Zone – All ages and abilities will be able to enjoy areas for fun and fitness including:

A new, state of the art skate park in the site’s old lido. Plans for this have been developed with the help of local skate groups. There will also be a skate park rest area, multi-use sports pitch, free ride area for biking and skating, fitness trail with a selection of outdoor exercise equipment, and a spiralling grass staircase-like trail for visitors to walk up and view across the park, with a mounted plaque to show the direction and distances to local sites such as Newark Castle.

The Nature Zone – A silver birch avenue will lead park visitors into the zone, along a wheelchair-friendly path made from recycled materials such as brick, slate, wood, and gravel.

Visitors will be able to enjoy nature peacefully tucked away on a bench or with friends on recycled tree-log seating areas.

This area has been designed with biodiversity and wildlife at the heart of the plans, with new habitat areas such as log piles, insect houses, bat boxes, and hedgehog hides all included.

An extensive planting programme will also take place to benefit pollinators and foraging wildlife, including the creation of a wildflower meadow and the planting of 40 new trees, 250m of hedgerow, 5,000 bulbs, and a fruit orchard.

The Play Zone – Designed with creative play and fun in mind, this area will be the perfect spot for children to enjoy the outdoors. Children will be able to let their imaginations run wild as they whiz along a zip line under a canopy of trees and splash their toes in the splash area with water-play equipment.

A new and refurbished play area with 10 pieces of accessible play equipment is also included in the plans.

The plans to reinvigorate the site were developed using the results of the consultation and feedback shared by residents, local community groups, and schools.

The council said it has been working closely with partners from Newark Town Council and Nottinghamshire Police.

One of the ideas that came from the consultation was a splash pad. The council said while Sherwood Avenue isn’t a suitable location for this suggestion, the idea was so well received that it is looking at the possibility of implementing it elsewhere in Newark.

Coun Emma Oldham, portfolio holder for Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said: “These plans are a wonderful example of the community coming together to create something really special.

“Your views and ideas helped to shape the future of Sherwood Avenue Park and I hope that everyone can see their feedback captured in the plans and are excited to see this green space once again become a hub of activity and socialising.

“We know that our beautiful local parks and green spaces are vital to helping wildlife and biodiversity thrive, and we also know that they are important to our residents as a space to socialise, exercise or simply to get outdoors and find some peace and quiet.

“I hope residents are as excited as we are to see these plans come to life and I encourage you to get in touch to tell us what you think!”

Located just outside the market and retail heart of Newark town centre, the park currently features a skate park, play area, and multi-use games area. However, these facilities are aging and becoming costly to maintain in their current state, which is why the council, which maintains the park, joined forces with Newark Town Council, which owns the facility, to reinvigorate the space.

Coun Neil Ross, leader of Newark Town Council said: “It is a very well loved and well used area, by people of all ages, and it has particular appeal to those who enjoy skate activities.

“This year we have worked with Newark and Sherwood District Council to completely redesign the park and greatly improve the facilities. The new park will cater for adults and children of all ages with new play equipment, water features, natural habitats, and enhanced features for skaters and young people. It will also create a green oasis close to the town centre.”

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