Work has started this week on the new all-wheels park in Stocksbridge – part of the Town Deal investment to deliver major improvements at Oxley Park.
Members of the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board joined Friends of Oxley Park and the project contractors to cut the soil and mark the start of construction, the work is scheduled for completion in August.
New footpaths and landscaping have already been completed at Oxley Park – linking different parts of the popular park as well as creating better links with the Community Leisure Centre.
EV chargers are also being installed at the Leisure Centre, and a new children’s play area was completed two years ago through the Town Deal accelerated funding project.
The week the contractors Horticon started work on the area which is being transformed into a new all wheels park, working alongside the skatepark specialists Canvas to deliver this final piece of work in the Oxley Park Improvement Project.
Members of the Town Deal Board have worked closely with the Friends of Oxley Park as well as Sheffield City Council’s Parks and Countryside team on the plans.
The all wheels park has been designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities – it will be suitable for bikes and scooters as well as for skateboarding, wheelchair motocross (WCMX) and roller booters.
The current skatepark’s large structures are being replaced with sustainable construction methods using concrete coloured in grey and green. Landscaped areas with trees and wildflowers have also been designed - enhancing biodiversity and creating an attractive area for local residents and park users.
Co-Chair of the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board, Miriam Cates MP, said: “The Town Deal investment has been really transformational for Oxley Park, we have a fantastic new children’s play area, improvements around the Leisure Centre and new footpaths and landscaping. The new all wheels park is the final piece of the project and its been a real collaboration with the local community. We can’t wait to see it completed in the summer.”
Cllr Julie Grocutt, Board Champion for the Oxley Park Improvement Project, said: “We’re so pleased that the Town Deal investment is making real and sustainable enhancements to our wonderful Oxley Park. Everyone has worked together on this project to deliver something really special for the town.”
Victoria Faulkner, from the Friends of Oxley Park added: “We’re excited to see work get started on a project that we feel very fortunate to have the funding for in our community.
“We want this to be a great community resource and will be working on coaching and engagement sessions once the all wheels park is open later in the year – so watch this space!”
This latest phase of investment is funded through the Stocksbridge Town Deal, and includes some local fundraising by the Friends of Oxley Park.
The Stocksbridge Town Deal is also delivering the major regeneration of the town centre, including Stocksbridge 519 (a new Community Hub and Library), major placemaking improvements and new investment in upgraded shop fronts in the precinct area.
To keep up to date with news about the Stocksbridge Town Deal projects visit www.welcometostocksbridge.co.uk
About Town Deals: The Town Deals programme aims to regenerate towns and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. This is through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage, and enterprise infrastructure. As of July 2021, DLUHC have offered Town Deals to all 101 places that submitted proposals, committing over £2.35bn of investment across around 700 projects nationwide.
About the Stocksbridge Town Deal: A Town Investment Plan for Stocksbridge was submitted to the Government in January 2021. The chosen projects were selected by the board guided by the key priorities and potential outputs set by the funding guidelines along with the communities’ priorities and concerns highlighted through local consultation.