Work is continuing to transform Elemore Country Park in Sunderland.

A new play area and fitness trail is be built and the footpaths are being upgraded to enhance access and improve the car park.

The project to transform the former Elemore Golf Course into an Eco Park started in 2022. This latest phase will build on earlier work to open a café, garden centre and community space which includes specialist changing places and facilities for residents with severe physical disabilities.

Work has now started to build a new play area for younger children inside the fenced area next to the café. It will include a climbing wall, somersault bars and 'over and under bars' as well as a timber agility trail.

-- Advertisement --

The work will also see the installation of a trim trail, which utilises the existing footpath network and new footpaths to create a circular route accommodating 10 pieces of metal equipment including climbing bars, a balancing beam and a leap ladder.

The new features will add to the leisure offer at Elemore Country Park and help more people to get outdoors and stay active.

Councillor Claire Rowntree, who as lead member for the project chairs the Elemore Project Group, said: "Local residents were instrumental in helping shape the plans for the country park through the Let's Talk Elemore consultation.

"The local community wanted to see an accessible country park which celebrates the area's heritage and protects and enhances the ecology of the area. It's really exciting to see how we are achieving this as the transformation continues. This next phase of work is boosting the leisure offer at Elemore and making it even more accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages."

Later this year, work will start on improving the car park, to maximise parking capacity. Designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, it will include electric charging points and trees will be planted alongside it.