A new natural play park for Groundwork's heritage centre in Derwent Valley
We are proud to be supporting the development of a brand-new natural play park at the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill, located in the heart of the Derwent Valley. The exciting new addition is being delivered by Groundwork NE & Cumbria and is funded by £150,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Government's Levelling Up initiative.
Work is now underway on site, with construction teams preparing the ground for the installation of sustainable play equipment, designed to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape. The park is expected to open in time for the school summer holidays in July 2025.
The park has been sympathetically designed to be in keeping with its natural surroundings. Wood structures, including a climbing frame, swings, a roundabout and other play equipment, will be installed on turf instead of synthetic flooring to continue this natural landscaping.
The play park will add a new attraction to Groundwork NE & Cumbria's existing heritage centre, which promotes the natural woodland, rare and iconic wildlife and the area's hidden heritage of British sword making and world-leading iron and steel industries.
This new facility responds directly to feedback from visitors to the Heritage Centre, who identified a children's play park as a key addition to enhance family visits and create more opportunities for outdoor activity in the area.
Chris Watson, Director of Land & Communities at Groundwork NE & Cumbria said:
"We'd like to give a huge thanks to Gateshead Council for supporting us with the grant funding and helping to create a wonderful new adventure playground in the beautiful setting of the Derwent Valley. We host many wonderful events and activities at the centre, from seasonal children's trails and school holiday activities to music events, creative workshops and heritage talks. This new natural play park will be an exciting addition, which we hope will attract more families, and allow us to host more family-focused activities in the safe environment of the heritage centre."
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Gateshead Council said:
"We are delighted to support the creation of an exciting new outdoor play area, which will improve access to safe and exciting play opportunities for children and to outdoor, green space for all the associated physical and mental health benefits this delivers. We can't wait to see the park open this summer in time for the school summer holidays."
We are proud to be supporting the development of a brand-new natural play park at the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill, located in the heart of the Derwent Valley. The exciting new addition is being delivered by Groundwork NE & Cumbria and is funded by £150,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Government's Levelling Up initiative.
Work is now underway on site, with construction teams preparing the ground for the installation of sustainable play equipment, designed to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape. The park is expected to open in time for the school summer holidays in July 2025.
The park has been sympathetically designed to be in keeping with its natural surroundings. Wood structures, including a climbing frame, swings, a roundabout and other play equipment, will be installed on turf instead of synthetic flooring to continue this natural landscaping.
The play park will add a new attraction to Groundwork NE & Cumbria's existing heritage centre, which promotes the natural woodland, rare and iconic wildlife and the area's hidden heritage of British sword making and world-leading iron and steel industries.
This new facility responds directly to feedback from visitors to the Heritage Centre, who identified a children's play park as a key addition to enhance family visits and create more opportunities for outdoor activity in the area.
Chris Watson, Director of Land & Communities at Groundwork NE & Cumbria said:
"We'd like to give a huge thanks to Gateshead Council for supporting us with the grant funding and helping to create a wonderful new adventure playground in the beautiful setting of the Derwent Valley. We host many wonderful events and activities at the centre, from seasonal children's trails and school holiday activities to music events, creative workshops and heritage talks. This new natural play park will be an exciting addition, which we hope will attract more families, and allow us to host more family-focused activities in the safe environment of the heritage centre."
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Gateshead Council said:
"We are delighted to support the creation of an exciting new outdoor play area, which will improve access to safe and exciting play opportunities for children and to outdoor, green space for all the associated physical and mental health benefits this delivers. We can't wait to see the park open this summer in time for the school summer holidays."
