Everything You Need to Know About the Exciting Plans for Glen Gardens Play Area

Ever wonder who gets to decide what a new playground looks like? You might picture a group of grown-ups in an office, looking at complicated drawings. But in York, the real experts have been called in: local kids. Big news from the City of York Council revealed that the play area at Glen Gardens is getting a massive makeover, and the final design has been shaped by the very people who will be using it most. As part of a major investment in parks and green spaces, this isn't just about putting in a new slide; it's about creating a community hub that local residents will love for years to come. The whole project is a brilliant example of how listening to children can lead to amazing improvements for everyone.

Who are the experts? Local kids, of course!

When you want to build the best possible play area, it makes sense to ask the pros. And that’s exactly what the City of York Council did. Children from Tang Hall Primary School and Heworth Primary School were given a special task: to act as chief consultants on the future of Glen Gardens. They were shown three different design options for the new play area and asked for their honest feedback. It wasn't just a box-ticking exercise; their thoughts were central to the whole process. This consultation with young residents ensured that the final design wasn't just good on paper, but something that genuinely sparks excitement and encourages play.

This approach means the new space is practically guaranteed to be a hit with families. The chosen design directly reflects the ideas and wishes that came out of the consultation. It’s a space designed by children, for children. This focus on community feedback is a core part of the council's programme to improve local parks.

Cllr Bob Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, was clearly impressed by the input from the young designers. He said:

"It was a real pleasure to visit Tang Hall and Heworth Primary Schools and hear directly from the children about what they wanted to see in their play area. Meeting pupils like Lyla, Cole and Ollie at Tang Hall was especially inspiring — their ideas and enthusiasm have been invaluable in shaping the final design. I want to thank all the children and staff at the schools for taking the time to share their thoughts. This project is about creating spaces that reflect the needs of our communities, and the children’s voices have been at the heart of that process."

So what’s actually going in the new park?

The final design for the Glen Gardens play area sounds like an absolute dream for any kid with energy to burn. It’s packed with equipment that encourages all sorts of physical activity, exploration, and imaginative play. Forget a boring old swing set; this is a proper adventure zone. The focus is on dynamic play, with a clever mix of classic favourites and exciting new challenges.

Here’s a look at what’s coming:

• Climbing structures and monkey bars for little adventurers to test their strength and bravery.

• Wobble beams and a timber agility stepping trail to help with balance and coordination.

• An embankment slide that makes use of the park’s natural elements, with timber steps leading up to it.

• Group swings and see-saws because playing with friends is always more fun.

What's really special about this design is the huge focus on inclusivity. Parks should be for everyone, and the new Glen Gardens play area makes sure that’s the case. The equipment includes an inclusive swing seat with a supportive backrest and a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, so children of all abilities can play together. There will also be sensory play panels along the new pathways, offering a different kind of exploration. This commitment to inclusivity is a key part of the planned improvements, ensuring the play area is a welcoming spot for all residents.

A nod to the past

While everyone is looking forward to the future of Glen Gardens, the project also unearthed some amazing glimpses of its past. Old photos of the play area from the 1980s and 1990s were discovered, showing just how much the space has changed over the decades. For many adults and long-term residents, these pictures are a lovely bit of nostalgia, a reminder of their own childhoods spent in local parks. It’s a reminder that these green spaces have always been important places for communities to gather and for children to make memories. This investment ensures that future generations will have the same opportunity to create their own happy memories in a modern, safe, and exciting play area.

The bigger picture for York's green spaces

The work at Glen Gardens isn’t happening in isolation. It’s a key part of a much bigger programme of improvements across York. The City of York Council agreed to this major investment in parks as part of its 2025–26 Budget. This started with a £750,000 Parks Investment Fund, which has been boosted with other funding to create an overall programme worth around £925,000.

This funding is being used to make long-term improvements across many of the city’s parks and green spaces. The goal is to create outdoor areas that are not only fun but also sustainable and beneficial for the whole community. This means thinking about things like biodiversity, making sure parks are good for wildlife as well as people. The investment is all about improving the wellbeing of residents by providing high-quality, accessible, and greener environments. The completion of the new Glen Gardens play area this Spring will be a significant milestone in this city-wide programme, showing the fantastic results that come from proper investment and listening to the community. The new design is set to deliver endless hours of fun and imaginative play for children for many years to come.