Improvement plans for Killingworth Lakeside Park have been revealed, with the public invited to have their say on its future.
People can head to the Our North Tyneside Voice website to find artists’ impressions, a detailed map of the plans, and a survey on the proposed improvements.
A series of public drop-in information sessions will be held in the park on the following dates:
- Thursday 11th September – 3pm -4:30pm
- Monday 22nd September – 3pm -4:30pm
- Saturday 27th September – 11am -1pm.
The work is part of the Council’s Ambition for the North West, creating attractive places to live, new opportunities for work and business, and inspiring spaces to play and visit.
It follows consultation events in Summer 2024 when residents, visitors and community groups were asked what improvements they wanted to see in the park, with their feedback helping shape the designs.
The vision is to transform Killingworth Lakeside Park into a vibrant, welcoming, and ecology-friendly destination for play, relaxation, and connecting with nature.
Improvements will include new play equipment, better walking and cycling routes, richer biodiversity, and a proposed café area with toilets.
People are being asked for their views on the overall scheme, and to help choose a brand new nature trail from a list of options. These include a Biodiversity Discovery Trail, a Woodland Wellbeing Walk, a Junior Explorer Trail or an Art Sculpture Trail.
Here’s how the designs have been inspired by public feedback so far:
- Play equipment: Local people asked for more exciting and varied play opportunities for all ages. The new designs include adventurous climbing structures, imaginative play zones, and inclusive features for all abilities.
- Café and toilets: Park users wanted a better café, covered seating and public toilets. The Council is exploring options for a new café hub with indoor seating for families and groups, a fully equipped Changing Places facility and accessible toilets.
- Landscaping: Concerns about swans and other birds creating mess in key areas have been considered in the landscaping and seating layouts.
- Safety: To address anti-social behaviour, the designs include improved lighting and 360° CCTV coverage.
- Children’s input: Pupils from Bailey Green Primary School helped shape the new play area. Through a creative workshop, children shared their ideas for a dream playground. Their favourite features included high-energy climbing challenges, big slides, and imaginative and sensory play.
Councillor Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor for North Tyneside and cabinet member responsible for Regeneration, Culture and Economic Development said: “Killingworth Lakeside Park is an award-winning public space that is much loved by residents and visitors. It is ready for some new investment and we are delighted to bring these exciting improvement plans forward as part of our Ambition for the North West of the Borough.
“Thank you to everyone who took part in our public events in 2024 and shared their ideas. We have listened carefully to what local people of all ages told us and we’re looking forward to hearing further feedback on the proposed designs.
“Input from our residents is vital as we work to build neighbourhoods that are clean, green and safe, and that we can all be proud of.”