Works to refurbish Pickering Park and repair East Park water play areas have started, allowing ample time to be ready for the 2026 summer season.
Pickering Park paddling pool will receive a full refurbishment with improvements including new jets and water features, as well as a new plant room with an upgraded filtration system.
East Park water play will have the old surface removed and repairs made to the concrete channels. A new surface coating will then be applied to the full water play area and path.
Works will take place over two periods, with the majority taking place until the end of October this year. New surfacing will be applied early 2026 in time for the summer season.
Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “We were as disappointed as our residents that we were unable to have these water play areas open for the summer, so I’m delighted we’re getting ahead for 2026. We know how valued these facilities are and these works are a priority for the council.
“We’re very lucky to have an abundance of fantastic amenities on offer to visitors within our parks across the city, including animal education centres, play parks, outdoor gyms, multi-use games areas, fishing lakes, bike tracks and activity trails, which we know are all loved and used by residents regularly.
“Water play brings the parks alive in the summer and we’re already looking forward to having these newly refurbished areas ready and open for 2026.”
Fencing is being erected at both Pickering Park and East Park, with works scheduled to begin next week.
