One of Mansfield’s best-loved parks has been transformed following a £3.2m investment led by Mansfield District Council.
Berry Hill Park has undergone major improvements over the past year, including a new bespoke adventure playground and café which will be opened in the coming months. The upgrade gives residents and visitors more places to play, explore and relax, while respecting the park’s long‑standing heritage.
The improvements have been funded by £3.2m from the government’s £12.3m Local Regeneration Fund allocation, with additional funding from Mansfield District Council and Greenwood Community Forest, who have supported the planting of more than 3,000 hedging plants and trees.
Mansfield District Council took over responsibility for Berry Hill Park from the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) in 2019 when it was threatened with closure.
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “Over the past few years, the council has worked hard to rescue and transform this much-loved open space.
“These improvements respect the park’s mining heritage, while creating high-quality facilities that will attract more visitors, support the local economy and help families enjoy the outdoors.
“This project is part of a wider and ambitious regeneration strategy to make our district more attractive to inward investment, creating more jobs, prosperity and opportunities to live happier, healthier lives.”
As well as the new play areas designed specifically for Berry Hill Park with inclusivity at their core, other improvements include:
- A new café within the visitor centre, which will be operated by a local business owner
- Improvements to the lake and wetland areas
- New footpaths to make the park and surrounding woodlands more accessible, while protecting biodiversity
- Enhanced landscaping, including new fencing and extensive tree and hedgerow planting, funded by Greenwood Community Forest through the Trees for Climate project
- New signage and interpretation boards, styled with the new We Are Mansfield branding
- Low-level lighting installed to improve safety while reducing light pollution and impacts on wildlife
Cllr Andy Burgin, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure, said: “This has been a superb use of funding aimed at encouraging greater community participation. We have consulted regularly and listened closely throughout the planning and delivery stages of this project.
“The new footpaths and play areas have already increased use by people of all abilities, showing how important inclusive design is. The play area was shaped by listening to residents, including the installation of an information board to support children with communication difficulties.
“I can’t wait to see people from all over Mansfield enjoying the new space.”
The improvements to Berry Hill Park support the council’s corporate plan by helping to make better use of public spaces and creating more opportunities for residents to lead healthy, active lifestyles.