A major programme of works has been announced, taking place throughout this summer, to maintain and repair the network of pathways which criss-cross Rushcliffe Country Park.
The popular Ruddington leisure facility welcomes hundreds of thousands of people each year – from our village and further afield. Its miles of paths will now be brought back up to standard from the resultant wear and tear ahead of the busy summer season.
Rushcliffe Borough Council says its £45k capital investment will begin on Monday June 5th 2023 to improve the visitor experience and accessibility to the Country Park. The extensive work will focus on the main arterial route from the car park to the skatepark and children’s playground but will also include additional patch repairs and pothole filling across the wider site.
Works are planned to take approximately three weeks to complete and some paths will be closed temporarily. The Council is apologising for any inconvenience this may cause – with temporary diversions in place but access maintained for all areas. It’s also reassuring us that Ruddington’s popular Parkruns on Saturday and Sunday mornings will be unaffected – as the work will take place during the week, and only in small sections at a time.
The path works follow a park user survey in 2021 which asked users to identify a programme of improvements to the park and complement many other enhancements, which now include:
- “No Mow” policy – Extensive wildflower meadows have been actively increasing throughout the park to help improve biodiversity and encourage more wild areas.
- A café – Coffee and Cake by the Lake has been built next to the visitor centre offering food, hot and cold drinks and ice cream and is open throughout the year.
- More seating – A new seating area full of picnic benches has been created by the new takeaway café and additional seating will be provided around the central area of the park later in the year.
- Shelter/shaded areas – A new rustic shelter has been built by the new takeaway café. It has hard flooring, wheelchair friendly access paths and wheelchair accessible benches all within easy reach of the car park and toilets.
- Additional shade sails – These will be installed between the play area and skatepark providing cooler places in warmer weather and shelter from rainfall and will be fully wheelchair accessible and open all year.
- Improved toilet facilities – The Visitor Centre now has a Changing Places toilet and there is a new fully renovated toilet block. Later this year the composting toilets by the play area will also be fully renovated with new buildings and an improved toilet system.
- Parking – Two electric vehicle charging points have now been installed.
- Improved play area – Repairing and replacing parts, upgrading the baby swings and completely replacing the sand pit walling.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Leisure & Wellbeing Cllr Jonathan Wheeler says: “Rushcliffe Country Park is the jewel in the crown of parks in Rushcliffe set in the scenic countryside just south of Ruddington. This continued investment on the path repairs demonstrates our commitment to listening to our residents and providing high quality green spaces to promote health, wellbeing and recreational opportunities.”
He adds: “Following on from our recent significant investments at the park with the meeting room, café, outdoor shelter and charging points, this pathway restoration work will further support our strategic focus for the park to provide environmental and educational opportunities which really enhance our residents’ quality of life.”
You can find more information about visiting Rushcliffe Country Park >>HERE<<.
