Newark and Sherwood District Council has announced ambitious new plans to significantly upgrade parks and open spaces across the district, with a total potential investment of more than £1.5 million over the coming years. The strategy, designed to protect and improve these vital community assets, responds directly to resident feedback and the growing importance of accessible green space.
Multi-Phase Investment for Green Flag Ambitions
The council's cabinet will discuss the detailed plans at a meeting on Tuesday, 20 January. The programme is structured in several phases, beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year. An initial £30,000 is earmarked for enhancing council-owned green spaces, with a specific focus on sites that have the potential to achieve the prestigious Green Flag Award.
Parks identified for this development include Clay Lane in Newark and Thorpe Oaks/Stirling Drive in Coddington. Furthermore, areas like Cherry Holt, Fairfax Avenue, and the wider Hawtonville Estate in Newark are set to benefit from new sensory planting, community orchards, and increased tree cover.
District-Wide Legacy Fund and Major Play Projects
To ensure towns and parishes outside Newark's immediate area also gain, the council is proposing a £100,000 Parks and Open Spaces Legacy Fund. With match-funding from local councils, this could unlock a further £200,000 for improvements district-wide.
The final phase, scheduled tentatively for 2027/2028 subject to consultation, would see over £500,000 invested in significant new play infrastructure. Proposals include a modern Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Cherry Holt Play Park and two new 'pump-tracks' for BMX bikes and scooters on Cedar Avenue in Newark and Turner Lane in Boughton.
Building on Recent Success
If approved, this new programme will build on substantial recent investment. In the past few years, the council has facilitated over £1.5m for parks, including £350,000 across ten sites in 2023 and a £500,000 redevelopment of Sherwood Avenue Park, which has recently regained its Green Flag status.
Councillor Simon Forde, portfolio holder for climate and the environment, said: "We know that our parks and green spaces are really important to our residents... We want to make sure the whole of the district is included." He emphasised the council's desire to work collaboratively with Town and Parish Councils and to respond to the importance of green spaces highlighted since the pandemic.
Newark and Sherwood District Council currently maintains five Green Flag award-winning parks and 30 play parks across its area.
