Pupils see Seaburn play park plans approved

Plans to develop a new outdoor children's play park with input from Seaburn schoolchildren have been approved.

Sunderland City Council's Full Cabinet voted in favour of plans for a new play park near to the the former Pirate Play Park site during Cabinet today [13^th July], meaning the plans will now go before the planning committee later this year.

Located just off Dykelands Road and Lowry Road, the park will be a real visitor attraction and will include play mounds, sand pits and planted areas, as well as traditional play features such as swings, slides and roundabouts, tall towers, climbing boulders, bridges and aerial walkways.

In-line with the Council's ambition to 'make the city's playparks more inclusive', it will also include bespoke play equipment for those with accessibility challenges, ensuring as many families as possible can enjoy the facilities.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for dynamic city at Sunderland City Council, said: "We are thrilled that members approved delivery of the new play park at Seaburn.

"Our seafront has benefited from millions of pounds of investment over recent years, and this is yet another development which will add to its ever-growing list of new additions.

"Whether it's beautiful restaurants and bars, the golden sands of Roker and Seaburn or green spaces to relax or go for a stroll, there's so much for families to do and see and this new park will only enhance its offering."

Sunderland City Council challenged pupils at Seaburn Dene Primary School to come up with ideas that would create a stand-out play area for families to enjoy.

Rainbow swings and a lighthouse slides are just some of the ideas that students drew up to help shape the plans, with construction expected to begin this Autumn ahead of its expected opening in Spring 2024.

Mr John Howe, head teacher at Seaburn Dene Primary School, said: "The children were really engaged with the chance to get involved in a community project like this and used their creativity and imagination to really "dream big" about their designs.

"We're delighted to see this come to fruition and given how close we are to the site, I'm sure our children will be among the first children down there when it finally opens."

Cllr Johnston added: "Empowering our communities to shape the places in which they live is something we're hugely passionate about as a council and this is a perfect example of that.

"The reaction from the schoolchildren when we tasked them with influencing the design of the new park was absolutely amazing and they all really bought into the project, so we can't wait to see their reaction when it officially opens next year."

For more information on Sunderland City Council, visit: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/

View the proposals here  Seaburn Play Park Proposals (PDF) [1MB]