Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground

Following consultation with local citizens and local schools Bulwell Forest recreation ground is going through major regeneration.

Phase one of the works; demolition of the redundant pavilion and installation of wild flower meadows on site has been completed. The meadows looked wonderful this year and we look forward to see how they fair this year.

Phase two of the works involve a new Children's play area and the redevelopment of the three tennis courts to incorporate; a Multi Use Games Area, Nottingham's first Parkour (free running) facility, outdoor gym & fitness equipment and a resurfaced tennis court.

The works totalling £236,000 are being financed by Nottingham City Council and NHS Nottingham City.

Barton Green Play Area

The play area at Barton Green has been completely transformed following over £75,000 worth of funding from Nottingham City Council and WREN (a not for profit business that awards grants to community, environmental and heritage projects across the UK from funds donated by FCC Environment as part of a voluntary environmental tax credit scheme called Landfill Communities Fund).

The new play area consists of climbing units, swings, slides, roundabouts and play boards for all ages.  5 pieces of fitness equipment have also been installed as part of the project aimed at teenagers and adults.

Poplar Avenue Playground

Following consultation with local residents, Poplar Avenue Playground, in Berridge Ward, has been successful in receiving funding from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental), under the Landfill Tax funding scheme.

The £33,000 secured, in addition to £2,000 secured from the Parks Service, will help to revitalise this small playground with additional and updated equipment.

Works to finalise equipment and layout will be taking place over the next couple of months, with further consultation to take place with local residents before the design goes out to tender.

It is anticipated that the playground refurbishment will be completed ready for the summer holidays.

Robin Hood Chase

Following consultation carried out during 2010/11 and a successful funding bid to WREN, works have been carried out to replace the old playground on Robin Hood Chase.

 The City Council has been working with Groundwork Greater Nottingham to help secure the funding needed for this scheme, with the new play area aimed more for toddlers and up to 12's, which will complement the existing ball court and outdoor gym that was installed a few years ago.

Sycamore Park

Following a successful external funding bid to WREN, who operate some landfill sites in the County, Sycamore Recreation ground has seen the creation of a brand new Multi Use Games Area.  This is located at the back of the grass football pitch that was created in 2011 from the disused bowls and putting green. 

Works have also taken place within the woodland area near the allotments, including the refurbishing of the 'Donkey Steps', which date back to the late 19^th Century, when most of the site that is now Sycamore Recreation Ground was allotments, or allotment gardens.  Terracing of the old allotments can still be seen within the woodland, which also goes to show how quickly sites can change to woods if left alone!

Victoria Embankment

Works have started in the memorial gardens to repair the war memorial terrace that overlooks the garden, repair the walls and alcoves structures, reinstall benches within the alcoves and install night security shutters and repair the balustrades.  These works are due to be completed in December.  Once complete people will be able to once again look out over the memorial gardens.

As part of the Environment Agency Flood Alleviation works, the two island rockeries in the memorial garden have been stripped and will be planted up by community volunteers.

Fitness equipment has been recently installed at Victoria Embankment.  New metal fitness equipment has been installed alongside the multi use games area and new wooden trim trail equipment has been installed in the play area.  This equipment has been installed thanks to £20,000 of funding from NHS Nottingham City to encourage local people to exercise and keep healthy.

Forest Lottery Bid

The Stage 2 Lottery Bid of The Forest recreation ground's multi-million-pound makeover was successful with works due to start on site in early 2012. 

The work is part of a project costing more than £5m which will see the area restored to its former glory over the next few years. The bulk of the changes will be paid for by a £5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery fund.

As part of the project a number of "quick win" schemes have already been carried out, including installation of a £340,000 new pirate-themed playground in the centre of the park and a £95,000 outdoor gym and multi-sports area where the old playground used to be.

The main focus of the new-look park will be the revamped pavilion. Other improvements will include restoring the historic entrances, sprucing up the lodge and the pavilion, improved planting and a new community garden.

For the latest update on the Forest project including photos from the site, please see our updates.

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