The gardens are now more accessible and provide a cycle and pedestrian link between Fairfield Halls and the Town Hall.
At the start of the project, 1,500 local residents took place in consultations and a smaller group from the community developed ideas for the new park. These plans focused on improving accessibility and making the area more attractive for the community to enjoy.
Residents shared that they wanted a woodland feel to the planting scheme, with lots of low maintenance grassy areas that would attract insects.
As a result, the new green space has been revitalised, including 39 new trees, as well as a range of native and non-native plant species. This will provide a nature-rich environment year-round – with special attention paid to plants that encourage pollinators.
The new playground is a key feature of the project and was designed using a variety of timber elements incorporating abstract features, to bring about a flexible and inclusive feel, with a Secret Garden play structure.
The lower part of The Queen’s Gardens play area provides play equipment for younger children, using soft material to create mounds, while the upper area provides play equipment for older children. Features include: a sunken trampoline, horizontal bars, balance beam, monkey bars, shimmy ropes, a Cantilever swing, a timber slide and a toddler slide.