Community invited for the official opening of Sherwood Avenue Play Park, Newark

A free family-fun opening event is taking place to celebrate the ambitious redevelopment of a popular play park.

Newark and Sherwood District Council, alongside Newark Town Council, are hosting the event at Sherwood Avenue Play Park on Saturday (May 17).

Visitors and residents are welcome to join between 11am and 3pm for a jam-packed day of entertainment with demonstrations and even have a go at doing BMX tricks with Extreme Wheels and Canvas on the brand new, state-of-the-art skatepark.

There will be live music from The Hot Dog Brass Band and children’s outdoor activities from Active4Today, the National Civil War Centre and the Children’s Bereavement Centre.

Newark Tennis Club will have volunteers available on the day for those who want to play tennis or receive free coaching.

Nottinghamshire Police will also be there with free bike marking.

Residents will also be able to enjoy the new Play Zone, which includes 10 new pieces of accessible equipment and, weather permitting, the splash play area, which will be turned on at the opening event.

Food concessions and an ice-cream van will be available for refreshments on the day.

The official opening speeches and the ribbon cutting will commence at 11.30am but the Park will be closed the morning of Saturday until 11am, to ensure the equipment for the opening event is set up safely.

The £550,000 redevelopment of the Sherwood Avenue Play Park has been funded by Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newark Town Council, as well as through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with £250,000 being contributed towards the project.

Matthew Finch, director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “It has been fantastic to see so many families already enjoying the new Sherwood Avenue Play Park.

“To celebrate this new, improved and well-loved Park, we wanted to organise a celebration event and give it the formal opening it deserved. There will be lots of exciting and fun activities for everyone to get involved in, so please do pop along and join in – we’re looking forward to seeing you!

“The District Council and Newark Town Council have worked tirelessly to ensure the Sherwood Avenue Play Park reflects what our residents told us they wanted to see from this redevelopment. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these ideas come to life.

“We understand the importance of outdoor spaces like this to our community, and we remain committed to investing in our green spaces and parks to enhance our district and benefit everyone.”

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

The District and Town Councils have worked closely to ensure these ideas were captured in the plans.

The new Park includes a range of features including a new Welcome Area where visitors will be greeted at the park via new and improved entrances and an outdoor vendor area for local traders. Fun and fitness of all ages and abilities is at the heart of the new Active Zone which features a brand-new state of the art skatepark which was developed with local skate groups, a multi-use sports pitch, a free ride area for biking and skating and a fitness trail with a selection of outdoor exercise equipment.

A Silver Birch avenue will lead park visitors into the new Nature 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 the recycled tree log seating areas.

The Play Zone is the perfect town centre spot for children to enjoy the outdoors and has been designed with creative play and fun in mind, including a brand-new zip line and a splash area which has a water rill and water-play equipment.

Matthew Gleadell, Town clerk at Newark Town Council, said: “Sherwood Avenue has a long history of being a site offering public leisure activity. Many Newark residents have fond childhood memories of the site, in particular during its time as a lido.

“The Town Council is delighted to have been able to work with Newark and Sherwood District Council to secure the future of the site with much needed investment and in turn ensure the site continues to serve as a place that facilitates childhood memories of days in the park with friends and family for our next generation.”