Following the death of King George V, who was a keen sports man, donations of both money and land were received to protect recreation grounds across the Country, as a fitting tribute. The aim was to ensure that all urban areas had at least one free outdoor recreation facility for their communities to enjoy. Ferryhill Town Council manages the King George V Playing Field in Ferryhill, known locally as the Broom Rec. as Trustees, on behalf of Fields in Trust.
Situated between Raby Road and Brancepeth Road, the playing field is the Town Council’s most central recreation facility. It is very well used by local children, young people and dog walkers alike. In recent years funding has enabled facilities at the playing field to be improved substantially. Grant moneys have been used to refurbish the existing changing facilities at the site, and to install new play equipment, outdoor gym equipment, seating, and litter bins. The installation of CCTV is the most recent addition to the site, which is the home venue for Ferryhill Celtic Football Club.
As a result of recent community consultation in the area a Feasibility Study is currently being developed to explore the potential for installing a Skatepark facility at the site.
As part of the study a design brief was sent to several professional Skate Companies inviting design concepts and proposals for the scheme. Two companies submitted proposals and the Town Council invited residents and local schools to vote on their preferred option. Designs by Canvass Skateparks was selected as the preferred designs. Planning permission is currently being sought for the project, once approved external funding will then be sought to deliver the project.
If anyone has any comments or would like to discuss the project further please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Council by email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk
King George V is one of four sites owned/managed by Ferryhill Town Council to be awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award. For more information about Green Flag please contact Karen Younghusband on 01740 652157 or visit the Green Flag website.
The Management Plan for King George V Playing Field can be viewed here KGV Management Plan 2021 – 2022
Users of King George V Playing Field were recently asked to complete a survey to gather information about its use and to help decide what action to take to try to alleviate incidents of anti-social behaviour in the park. The survey ran from 15th September until 15th October,
The survey was a huge success achieving 185 responses. Councillors considered the results of the survey at their meeting held on Wednesday 20th October. After careful consideration and taking into account views expressed the Council has decided to install additional fencing and gates so that the park can be locked on an evening. When the fence and gates have been installed the park will open from 8.00 am and will close at 4.00 pm during winter months and 8.00 pm during summer months in line with other parks in the town.
In addition, barriers or kissing gates are to be installed within the Park to make access by off-road bikes and quadbikes more difficult. We are aware that people with disabilities and parents of young children use the park and therefore we will ensure that the barriers are accessible for wheelchairs, Motability scooters and pushchairs.
New LED lights are also to be installed on the existing lighting columns and two high quality CCTV cameras will be installed.
Councillors Peter Atkinson and Joe Quinn have committed to contribute funding from their Durham County Council Neighbourhood Budgets to help finance the work.
The Council deferred the decision on the installation of the skatepark to gather further information about technical aspects of the installation and the views of potential funders. This will give the opportunity to assess the impact of the measures to be taken before making a final decision.
Facebook