Sunderland City Council detail plans to build new city centre park

Written by on 18th March 2024

Sunderland City Council have detailed plans to build a new park in the city centre.

Riverside Park will offer the people of Sunderland an easily accessible green space and water garden on the bank of the River Wear.

It will give the public the chance to get closer to nature in a fast-moving city. The park will cover 13 hectares of land and offer the public a place to relax, socialise and host events.

Millfield councillor, Julia Potts said: “Anything which improves the area for residents and visitors to the city is important. I hope the council will allocate enough money for the upkeep of the park once it is finished.”

The Council claim the park is a step towards making Sunderland’s city centre a more welcoming place in hope of driving more people to the town and aiding local business’. A statement read: “The proposals will create accessible new community and family-orientated social and activity space that will make Riverside Sunderland yet more attractive to prospective residents and employers moving into the high-quality new homes and modern office spaces taking shape on site.

“The Southern Gateway and Water Gardens will feature natural stone boundary walls, attractive walkways, and pretty ponds, that will enhance biodiversity and sustainability and create a sculptured landscape and new natural habitats.”

Image credit: Sunderland City Council

However, councillor Potts believes the council should and could be doing more to help the city centre thrive. She added: “Me and my colleagues in the Millfield and Hendon wards which cover the city centre would like to see more retail back in the city and I don’t personally feel that the council is doing enough to attract and retain both large and small businesses.  Also, the council recently withdrew ‘free after 3’ parking in city centre car parks.  We are actively campaigning for the reintroduction of this to encourage people back into the city.

“Hospitality offerings seem to be on the increase but I do also think that the lack of leisure facilities in the city means that there are not a lot of young people being attracted to the city centre.”

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