We’re delighted to announce that a new piece of play equipment, voted for by members of the local community, has been installed in Elswick Park play area.
The new multiplay, complete with two slides, replaces the previous play equipment that was sadly set on fire during an arson attack.
Thankfully no one was hurt during the attack, but the fire completely destroyed a large and expensive piece of play equipment that was popular with local children and visitors to the park.
Whilst we secured the funding to remove the damaged play equipment, we consulted local people on what should be replaced.
It was fantastic to hear from regular visitors about which piece of play equipment they wanted to see in their play area. After all the votes were counted, it was the multiplay with slides that came out on top.
In addition to the improvements at Elswick Park, we’re also working with partners and local communities to revitalise play areas in other parks across the city too.
In Leazes Park, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2023, we’re working in partnership with Northern Lights Newcastle and the people of Newcastle to fundraise enough money to repair and replace some of the play equipment in the park, giving families access to a free place to play. Northern Lights Newcastle has pledged to double public donations (up to a maximum of £10k). If you’d like to support the fundraising campaign, you can donate an amount when booking tickets to attend Northern Lights Newcastle here. Or, if you’d prefer to make a donation without booking tickets, you can do that here.
In Gosforth Central Park, we’re working with local community group Gosforth Play Park, The Friends of Gosforth Central Park, and local businesses and volunteers to revitalise the popular play area. Thanks to a kind donation from Gosforth Shopping Centre, which is operated by Monument Real Estate, the aeroglide in the park has been replaced. The Friends of Gosforth Central Park raised the funds to repair and replace the benches in the play area, and members of the local community, including students and staff from Gosforth Academy, have volunteered their time to clean and repaint the play equipment. You can find out more, or make a donation to the Gosforth Central Park play area campaign here.
Looking after the play areas in Newcastle’s parks is very costly. Simply removing, responsibly disposing of, and replacing a single piece of large, damaged climbing equipment costs upwards of £40,000. That’s why we work in partnership with local businesses and members of the community to raise the money we need to make sure park play areas are safe, fun and enjoyable places for children and families to visit.
If you’d like to support our work and help care for Newcastle’s green spaces, you can make a donation via our JustGiving page.
Thank you for helping us ensure Newcastle’s parks and allotments remain beautiful, safe and welcoming places for everyone to enjoy now, and for generations to come.