Newark Park Set for Major Upgrade with £300,000 Investment
Newark and Sherwood District Council approves plans for enhanced play and fitness facilities at Cherry Holt Park, funded by the Pride in Place Programme.
By Aisha Mahmood
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a modern park with play and fitness equipment.
Newark’s Cherry Holt Park is set to receive significant upgrades, including modern and accessible play and fitness equipment, following approval from Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The redevelopment project, a collaboration with the Newark Town Board, has secured £250,000 from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme. This investment will enhance the green space with multi-use games areas, football pitches, outdoor gym equipment, and improved play facilities.
Members of the Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Cabinet met this week to approve the proposals, confirming a £50,000 contribution towards creating inclusive, free-to-access spaces for families and children at the Hawtonville park. Funding is expected to be available from next spring, pending the approval of the project’s business case.
Following extensive resident consultation earlier this year, the council refined its plans to include new pathways, gates, and CCTV to improve site safety and accessibility. These enhancements are part of the council’s wider Parks and Open Spaces Development Plan, aimed at ensuring community assets thrive.
The Development Plan targets several council-owned parks and green spaces, with the aim of achieving Green Flag status. The district currently boasts five Green Flag parks, three of which are in Newark, with the others located in Ollerton and Clipstone.
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"We are delighted to support the proposed redevelopment of Cherry Holt Park through investment from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme. This funding will support local communities within Newark, investing in a number of projects over the next few years that are highly valuable to local people. The park plans were developed through community engagement and will offer a diverse and free to access outdoor space for the community and we look forwards to seeing the works progress."
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"We know how important our parks and green spaces are to our residents which is why we continue to invest in the development and maintenance of these assets, made possible through significant support from the Newark Town Board. This programme has outlined our commitment from the beginning, and the latest investment commitment shows a major step forward for the redevelopment of Cherry Holt Park. The plans have also responded directly to resident feedback, highlighting the importance of site accessibility and safety. We’ll continue to focus on making sure that not only are we protecting our parks and green spaces, but we’re improving and developing these areas for future generations."
Additionally, the Parks and Open Spaces Development Plan includes the Newark and Sherwood Town and Parish Parks Legacy Fund Scheme. This scheme supports town and parish councils in delivering new or improved play areas on sites not owned by the District Council, offering grants of up to £10,000, requiring matched funding. Final decisions on applications are expected this month.
