Go ahead for new Westfield playground

Families in Westfield can look forward to new play facilities, as £183,000 was approved for a brand-new playground at Cabinet meeting this week.

Local people in Westfield have been asking for playground facilities for a number of years on the estate, forming local community group ‘Let’s Get Westfield a Park’ to try and make it a reality.

Through the Westfield Big Local Fund, £108,000 has been awarded for the playground, with Sheffield City Council adding a further £75,000 for the development. Our contribution is made up of £45,000 of Public Health funding, £15,000 from the Parks Improvement Fund and £15,000 from Housing Services.

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure, said:

“Sheffielders have always been proud and grateful for the abundance of green space and play facilities that we have across the city, but the pandemic has made us all appreciate them even more.

“We understand the strong links between quality outdoor spaces and activities, and physical and mental wellbeing and the importance of investing in our local parks.

“The new playground will be a fantastic addition to Westfield estate, and it’s with thanks to those in the community, Councillor Tony Downing and everyone involved in the Partnership who have worked so hard to make this possible. I can’t wait to see this project get off the ground, with support and input from the local people it will serve.”

The new playground is part of a wider project led by local residents and supported by Westfield Big Local, Local Councillors and other partners working in the neighbourhood. ‘Let’s Get Westfield a Park’ community group has worked hard over a number of years to bring the project forward including carrying out community consultation to help design the new facility. 

Local mum and member of Lets Get Westfield a Park, Jody, said:

"We've been working on this project for a number of years now, but in the last couple of years with the support from local council departments, we've really got things taking shape. 

"Year on year the local residents have been screaming their need for somewhere to take their children to burn off some energy, to enjoy the outdoors, and to forge friendships. I'm so excited that as a group, we are so close to giving this to the community. As a parent, I'm looking forward to taking my children to the park and making new friendships with local parents too." 

Mike Peat, Chair of Westfield Big Local, said:

"The Westfield Community have got the Park they asked for in 2013.... BIG THANKS for sticking with the task."

The new playground will include a range of play equipment for different ages and abilities including swings, a wheelchair accessible roundabout, multi climbing unit with slide and play panels. New tarmac footpaths will be installed to and through the playground, as well as a scooter track, a seating area and tree and bulb planting. The play area will also be fenced to ensure safety from nearby roads. 

Technical drawings are currently being prepared to put the project out to tender in February and construction is expected to begin on site in May 2021.

For more information contact our Housing Service on 0114 205 3333.  

Contact Parks and Countryside service at parksandcountryside@sheffield.gov.uk or call 0114 2500 500. 

Follow our Parks service on social media @parksheffield on Twitter & Instagram, or @sheffieldparks on FB