Council Services
Gildencroft Park Improvements
Completion of improvements to Gildencroft Park
The final phase of improvements to the Gildencroft Park was completed in April 2010 through the government funded Playbuilder scheme. This builds on work carried out by the city council over the past five years in consultation with the local community.
Background
The Gildencroft is the only significant park in the north city centre area, and is of great historic interest. It was once part of a much larger open space, believed to contain a jousting ground in medieval times. Prior to its improvement the park was not easily accessible as it had no direct entrance from Pitt Street, had very limited equipment, and consequently was not well used. The council’s regeneration strategy for the Magdalen Street and St. Augustines Street area (January 2004) identified the need to make the park more accessible by creating a new access from Pitt Street, and to provide improved facilities.
In late 2005 to early 2006 council officers developed a package of proposals to improve the park, consisting of a new main entrance from Pitt Street, improved junior (8-12) and teenage (12+) play provision (to complement the new toddler play area that was installed in 2004), and landscaping and new paths. This was subject to public consultation in early 2006. Although not all the required funding was in place at that time, the intention was to produce an overall ‘masterplan’ to guide the park’s development as funding became available.
The northern city centre area action plan (adopted March 2010) promotes improved play and open space provision in the area and has helped to guide more recent improvements to the park.
Phase 1 – new entrance
The first phase of improvements to the Gildencroft was completed in 2006 with the creation of a new main entrance to the park from Pitt Street. This made the park accessible from Pitt Street, and created a high quality public space enhancing the area as a whole. The new entrance was funded jointly by Norwich City Council and English Heritage under the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS).
brick pillar with carved jousting
theme at main entrance
Phase 2 – new play equipment
New play equipment was installed in 2007 using Section 106 contributions generated by new development in the local area. The improvements reflect the responses from the 2006 public consultation. Respondents, including local children, told us that they would like to see more play equipment for older children in the park.
- A combined football goal and basketball net was installed at the western end of the park in February 2007. This facility is well used by local children and is a valuable contribution to the park.
- Following this an area with play equipment for children aged between 8 and 12, was provided next to the existing toddler play area.
- Fencing was erected to separate the play areas off from areas used by dog walkers.
Phase 3 – Playbuilder funded improvements
In 2009 the council successfully bid for new Playbuilder funding to complete the improvements to the park. These are aimed specifically at encouraging play activities for children aged eight to 13, using natural elements such as landform and planting.
The improvements are based on previous consultation about the park as well as a consultation with children and young people from August 2009. The improved park has:
- better access with improved paths, making it easier for everyone to enjoy including wheelchair users and families with pushchairs
- improvements to the Pitt Street entrance to make it more welcoming
- a reinstalled part of the central fence in a better position around the play areas
- new planting to make it more welcoming and colourful
- a new medieval-themed activity trail with climbing wall and shield climber
- landscaping with mounds for running and informal play
- more plants and flowers to enjoy
- an improved basketball and goalmouth
- a climbing tree
- a sandpit which has already proven very popular.
Playbuilder funded improvements
If you would like further information, please contact:
Judith Davison (Planning Regeneration Co-ordinator)
Tel: 01603 212529
email: judithdavison@norwich.gov.uk
