This consultation closed on 31 May 2026. Thank you to the 1,146 people who took part. The “You said, we did” summary on this page shows what you told us and what we changed. The restored park reopened on Saturday 3 October 2026: read about the reopening.
Riverside Park closed in January 2026 for a £2.4 million restoration. Work to repair the river wall, drains and main paths is already under way. Now we’d like your views on the detailed designs for the parts of the park you’ll see and use most: a new playground, a wetland boardwalk and 140 new trees.
What we’re proposing
A new playground
We’ve drawn up two designs for the playground, which will replace the old one next to the main lawn:
- Design A, Adventure: a large climbing frame with a tower and tube slide, swings and a zip wire
- Design B, Nature play: timber climbing and balancing trails, a sand and water area, swings and a slide built into a grassy bank
Both designs include equipment that disabled children can use, and both would be fenced.
A wetland boardwalk
A raised boardwalk would take you through the restored reedbeds by the River Wren. There are two possible routes: a 280-metre loop close to the main path, or a 350-metre route that goes further into the wetland.
New trees
We plan to plant 140 trees, mostly native species. Tell us which parts of the park you’d most like to see shaded, and which open views you’d like us to keep.
How to have your say
- Leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
- Come to a drop-in session at Northbank Library on Saturday 25 April (10:00–13:00) or Wednesday 13 May (16:00–19:00).
- Email haveyoursay@larkhaven.example.
- Children can take part through workshops we’re running with six primary schools near the park.
What happens next
We’ll choose the final designs in June, taking account of what you tell us. The playground, boardwalk and planting will then be built over the summer, and we aim to reopen the park in the autumn. Find out more about our parks and leisure services.
Noémie Laurent
Design B gets my vote. My two would happily spend all day on those balancing trails. Please think about shade, though: the old playground was a real sun trap in July and there was nowhere to sit out of the sun.
Ciarán Moloney
Agree about shade, but please use trees rather than sail canopies. The canopies in Hollins Park looked tatty after one winter.
Zoltán Kovács
I walk my dog here twice a day. I’m happy for the playground to be fenced, but please don’t make the boardwalk “no dogs”. Dogs on leads should be allowed, as they are on the rest of the riverside path.
Larkhaven City Council Council response
Thank you, Zoltán. Dogs on leads will be welcome on the boardwalk, as they are on the riverside path. The only dog-free area we’re proposing is the fenced playground, and we’ll make sure the signs make this clear.
Gráinne Ní Mhurchú
Two requests from a wheelchair user.
Please add passing places on the boardwalk, because two chairs can’t pass each other on a narrow path.
And please put benches with armrests along the main path so people can stop and rest 🌳
Søren Dahl
Please go for the longer 350 m boardwalk. The far end of the reedbed is where the herons are, and it’s the best bit of the park. Any chance the riverside path can reopen before the rest of the park? It’s my commute by bike 🚲