Plans to turn an area of land, part of which was once the site of the Sheffield Ski Village, into a Country Park in the city have continued following the confirmation of funding from central Government.
As part of the ambitious plans for Parkwood Springs, Sheffield City Council will create a new access road, including improvements to cycle and pedestrian access, and improvements to the public realm.
Work will be carried out to develop the old Ski Village site, including the treatment of Japanese Knotweed, and further improvements will see mountain bike trails, new paths and path improvement work take place.
Discussions with Skyline Luge of New Zealand have also continued, now funding is confirmed, and Sheffield City Council are putting in place a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow Skyline to masterplan the site.
Alongside exciting future plans a new kiosk in the park has been built and is now open along with a number of improvements to the country park.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Parkwood Springs is an incredibly important site in Sheffield, it had been used for many years by a whole host of people.
“Since the ski village closed, the area has needed something to breathe new life into it. Our plans do exactly that, we want to create a country park in the city, a place for Sheffield residents and visitors to go, relax and enjoy on a daily basis. Confirmation of funding from the new government will help us to transform the area.”
Funding of £19.4 million for the project was confirmed by the Labour Government in the budget at the start of November. That money will now allow the work to continue onsite including preliminary work on a new access road.
The relocation of a local business has also progressed with a new site being identified for new purpose-built accommodation. This will allow the area to be prepared for the next stage of the transformation.
Cllr Miskell added: “Sheffield is changing, it’s transforming into a fantastic area, full of character and full of place, just like Parkwood Springs. What was once a busy bustling area, will be once again with a new regional leisure destination included that will further enhance the city’s reputation as ‘The Outdoor City’.”
The regeneration of Parkwood is overseen by an Area Board, that includes key stakeholders, including community groups and is chaired by Gill Furniss MP for Brightside and Hillsborough, who said: “Securing government funding enables us to progress with the exciting next stage of redeveloping the Parkwood site.
“Comparable in size to Hyde Park, this vibrant space is home to a number of community groups and projects, all actively contributing to the Area Board I chair. Together, we’re working to create something truly exceptional—a giant urban lung for the city, providing people with opportunities to get out and enjoy our beautiful green spaces.”
