Exciting plans have been revealed for a York park – designed with the help of children who’ll use it.
Children from Tang Hall Primary School and Heworth Primary School have played a key role in shaping the future of Glen Gardens.
They were invited to review three different design options for the play area. Their feedback has helped determine the final design that will now be built.
The upgrade of Glen Gardens is part of City of York Council’s major investment in parks and green spaces.
The chosen design reflects the ideas and preferences gathered during a consultation, aiming to provide a play space that will be well-loved by families across the area.
The new Glen Gardens play area will feature a variety of dynamic play elements such as climbing structures, wobble beams, monkey bars and a timber agility stepping trail to encourage physical activity and exploration.
Inclusivity is a key focus, with equipment like an inclusive swing seat with a supportive backrest, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, and sensory play panels integrated along new pathways.
The design also incorporates natural elements, such as timber steps leading to an embankment slide, and playful features like group swings and see-saws. Overall, the layout aims to inspire social interaction, physical challenge, and imaginative play for children of all abilities.
Old photographs
Cllr Bob Webb, executive member for children, young people and education, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit Tang Hall and Heworth Primary Schools and hear directly from the children about what they wanted to see in their play area.
“Meeting pupils like Lyla, Cole and Ollie at Tang Hall was especially inspiring — their ideas and enthusiasm have been invaluable in shaping the final design.”
During the project, fascinating old photographs of Glen Gardens play area were unearthed, dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.
These images show how the play area looked decades ago, offering a nostalgic glimpse into its history and reminding us of the importance of investing in spaces that bring communities together.
Work on the new play area is due to be completed in spring, marking a significant milestone in the council’s wider programme to improve parks and green spaces across York.
The council agreed the parks investment as part of its 2025–26 budget. This includes an initial £750k allocation, commonly referred to as the Parks Investment Fund. Officers will draw on additional future funding sources, including S106 contributions, to increase the overall programme to around £925k.
The Glen Garden project sits within this wider £925k programme, rather than the core £750k Parks Investment Fund.
