Dean Bank Park

Originally created in 1927 by Dean and Chapter Colliery to provide park facilities for the Miner’s and their families, the upkeep of the park was initially funded through a deduction from the Miner’s salaries. When the colliery closed in 1967 ownership of the park was transferred to Ferryhill Town Council for the Town Council to manage into the future.

To commemorate the heritage of the park, a traditional Miner’s Pit Tub and Miner’s Half Pit Wheel, donated by Ellington Colliery, have been installed and transformed into impressive, artistic features ensuring that the Town’s legacy as a former Miner’s Welfare Park is never forgotten.  See more information regarding the history of Ferryhill.

Since the Town Council took over the management of Dean Bank Park and thanks to significant levels of grant funding being secured by the Council, the Park has been completely transformed in recent years.

Improvements include the development of a new Sports Pavilion housing changing and referee facilities, café and medical room together with 5 football pitches, that provide the home ground for Ferryhill Town Youth F.C. The facility is also used by several adult football teams including Ferryhill Greyhound Over 40’s F.C, Ferryhill Rangers F.C, Ferryhill Ivorson F.C, and notably Ferryhill Athletic F.C. who having reformed in recent years have returned to their former home at Dean Bank Park, where they were originally based from 1921 until the club folded in 2006.

Environmental Improvements to the Sports Pavilion in 2024 saw the installation of renewable technologies including an impressive Solar PV Array with Battery Storage facility. This is not only helping to reduce carbon emissions being released into the environment but is also helping to reduce the buildings energy costs.

Football pitches at the park are also subject to an annual programme of improvements and are currently benefitting from a six-year pitch maintenance grant.

A Multi-Use Games Area and Outdoor Fitness Equipment as well as an enclosed Dog Walking Area, Brian Avery Walk (named after Councillor Brian Avery who championed the facility but sadly passed away in 2021) incorporating public seating, shelter, footpath link, tree planting scheme and dog agility equipment, and a newly resurfaced, accessible public footpath leading from the A167 and running alongside the designated dog walking area into the main park have all been delivered by Ferryhill Town Council thanks to grant funding.

Additional investments in the park in recent years have included aesthetic improvements such as floral displays and the planting of trees including a Memorial Tree in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and installation of commemorative benches to mark both the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III.

The most recent addition to Dean Bank Park, which

is also a frequent venue for Council events such as Fireworks Displays and Party in the Park functions, has been the installation of new, inclusive and challenging play equipment including teenage play facilities newly installed in 2026.

Since 2009 alone £1.6m in grant funding has been secured by Ferryhill Town Council from a variety of external funders and invested into the park.  Monies have been used to ensure that the park continues to offer welcoming, family friendly facilities for the benefit of the whole community of Ferryhill to enjoy.