A Carlisle play park and multi use games area has been revamped.
Cumberland Council has reopened the popular spaces at Hammond’s Pond, following a refurbishment as part of the Start with the Park initiative.
The multi use games area was closed for six weeks while work took place and has undergone significant improvement.
Old fencing and goals have been replaced, the surface fully renewed and new line markings for football and basketball have been added.
The nearby children’s play park has also benefited from upgrades to improve both safety and accessibility for users.
While both the games area and play park are now open to the public, an official opening event will be held on Friday, 8 August 2025.
Cumberland Council said the refurbishment was essential as the area is around 20 years old and had started to show signs of wear and tear, particularly with its fencing.
The new fencing offers a better rebound for football play and includes rubber buffers to reduce noise from ball strikes.
Its upgraded surface also provides grip and lowers the risk of slips and falls and a cricket wicket has also been installed.
The play park has undergone a full surfacing overhaul and the old bark surface has been replaced with a rubber wet-pour surface,
The new surfacing is wheelchair-friendly, easier to maintain, and ties in with the surrounding paths and green space.
The improvements were funded through the Carlisle Town Deal and form part of the Start with the Park, an initiative focused on enhancing the quality, safety, and accessibility of green spaces across Carlisle.
It’s a programme that is a key element of Cumberland Council’s £100 million regeneration plan for the city, supported by UK Government investment via the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deal, and Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
Cumberland Councillor Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said: “Hammond’s Pond is a much-loved space for residents of all ages, and these improvements to both the MUGA and play park will make it even more enjoyable and accessible.
“This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to improving green spaces, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and creating vibrant, inclusive areas for the whole community.”
