Regular visitors to Rushcliffe Country Park here in Ruddington may already have noticed two rather ‘striking’ new additions between the children’s play area and outdoor gym/new skatepark.
Officially called ‘Shade Sails’ (pictured top), they have been erected among the picnic benches to provide welcome shelter from the sun during the summer months, and protection from rain during the wet, winter months. They were funded by a visitor who made a generous donation in her will to a favourite park she had visited many times over the years.
It’s possible the new structures rather contemporary look may cause a few raised eyebrows among park users – since they contrast quite sharply with the much more traditional wooden shelter recently built near the cafe (below), which was financed by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) from Shared Prosperity Funding.
However, RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Leisure and Wellbeing, Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, thinks the latest shelters also look good: “The new shade sails are a great addition in time for the colder and wetter months ahead” he says. “They provide a focal point where you can enjoy a coffee and cake whilst watching the family enjoy themselves either in the playground or skatepark. It’s absolutely heart-warming that a resident who loved visiting Rushcliffe Country Park made a donation to the park when she sadly passed, and we are extremely grateful for the gift in her will.”
Whilst visiting Ruddington, Cllr Wheeler (pictured below centre) also went along with Country Park Manager Alastair Glenn (left) and RBC Team Manager, Environment Edward Leddy-Owen (right) to sniff out the newly refurbished toilets which have been installed near the children’s play area. These are said to have an improved operating system, and boast a fresh, clean look inside. They have been installed to complement the upgraded toilets near the visitor centre, which were completed last year, and the front gates have also been removed to try to give them a better appearance.
Cllr Wheeler welcomes their “clean, tidy and user-friendly feel, with the fence dropped back to make them more fitting with the landscape.”
He adds: “These upgrades are part of our commitment to invest in the Country Park, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, providing high quality open spaces to promote health, wellbeing and recreation.”
Other significant investments at Ruddington’s award-winning park recently include a bookable meeting room, new outdoor café, improved play area, electric vehicle charging points and pathway restoration work.
