Sconce and Devon football pitches get a renovation just in time for football season

Over the past few weeks works have been underway to renovate and refresh the pitches, with work including digging up worn soil and grass, levelling the ground and grass seeding. These efforts are aimed at creating a healthier and more robust grass, ensuring a rejuvenated and high-quality pitch for players to enjoy.

Sconce and Devon’s pitches regularly host a variety of local sports groups and clubs, and it is important that the pitches remain safe and enjoyable for players. Regular maintenance and renovation work like this is essential as general wear and tear can lead to thinning grass, compacted soil and uneven surfaces. The Street Scene Team have been working on the renovations alongside local natural grass sport surface specialist Fineturf.

Matthew Finch, Director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “Our Street Scene Team have been diligently working over the past couple of weeks to renovate Sconce and Devon’s pitches and ensure they are in the best condition ahead of football season this year.

“Sconce and Devon is such a well-loved park, including for fitness and play, and our teams work hard to ensure that this site, alongside all of our other wonderful parks and green spaces, are well maintained and ready for all to enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing the end result of these works, and the pitches ready for players to get out there and have some fun again!”

The maintenance to ensure the new grass can thrive includes regular watering and, whilst the work to establish the pitches is on-going over the next eight to ten weeks, the District Council is asking park users to please refrain from walking over the site and instead utilise the park’s ample alternative footpaths for walking or running and the other green spaces at the park to play.

Results from the latest resident survey showed residents placing more importance on local parks and green spaces during recent times, and the Council is committed to both enhancing the district’s natural environment and improving the health and wellbeing of residents. Work to improve and invest in this includes the £350,000 investment into ten of the district’s play parks, through which a brand-new castle-themed play park and a free outdoor fitness zone were installed at Sconce and Devon. The park, alongside three other parks in the district, has also retained its prestigious Green Flag status for a number of years, with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden joining that list in 2023, thanks to the continuous efforts of the Council’s teams, park rangers, community groups and volunteers.

To find out more about Sconce and Devon Park visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/sconceanddevon/