Have your say on the future of Sherwood Avenue park

Currently, the park, located just outside of the commercial, retail heart of Newark Town Centre, features a skate park, play area, and multi-use games area, in a sunken part of the park which once housed the town’s former lido. However, these facilities are aging and becoming costly to maintain in their current state.

Through a range of planned events, the Town Council, which owns the park and the District Council, which maintains it, want to hear from both existing users of the park, as well as those who don’t currently visit to understand why they don’t and what might entice them to do so in the future. The listening events will also include an online survey for residents to give their views.

Once the listening events have concluded, officers plan to develop the responses into a plan for development at the site. This could include a new skate park, play areas, green spaces such as natural play areas and non-specific sports areas, street furniture, and anti-social behaviour measures such as barriers and CCTV upgrades.

The first event in the park will take place on Saturday, May 20th, between 11am and 3pm, and will feature the Extreme Wheels team, including pro BMX demonstrations and free riding sessions.

The District and Town Council will also consult with other key stakeholders, including local schools, college students, and those living close to the park.

Matthew Finch, Director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “I want to encourage anyone who wants to have their views heard to please take part online or at the open event. We want to work with our local communities to create a space we can be proud of.

“Our parks and open spaces are so important to our communities, whether they are a place to get out and play, to relax, or to keep fit and healthy, and we want to ensure any future improvements to Sherwood Avenue Park suit your needs.”

Matthew Gleadell, Town Clerk for Newark Town Council, said: “‘Places that provide opportunities for play and recreation are vitally important in any community. Working in partnership with Newark and Sherwood District Council we are very keen to make much needed improvements to this valuable community space.

“The site holds many fond memories for lots of Newark residents, especially from times when the site was previously home to a lido. We hope investment into the site will help to create many new fond memories for current and future generations to come.”

Results from the latest resident survey showed residents are placing more importance on local parks and green spaces during recent times, and these investments will further the work the District Council has committed to within its Community Plan, including enhancing the district’s natural environment to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has also recently approved plans to modernise, develop and extend a number of the district’s park play areas and equipment, including inclusive play equipment for all ability users where possible to do so, during 2023 to a total cost of almost £350,000.

The survey is available for residents to complete online through the District Council’s website and social media via the following link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SherwoodAvenue/.

To find out more about the District Council’s Community Plan visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/councilpriorities/