A skate park, running track and Viking longboat are all part of a bold new £790,000 vision for two popular parks on the edge of Norwich.
The latest plans for Laundry Lane Recreation Ground and Dussindale Park in Thorpe St Andrew reveal a wide range of new features for families and young people.
It is part of an ambitious ten-year project that will be partly funded through housing developer contributions known as Section 106 money.
The largest feature will be a brand new skate park – referred to as a wheeled park – which has been listed as a priority by Thorpe St Andrew Town Council.
Jonathan Emsell, who is the lead councillor on the project, said: 'If you look at what facilities there are for young people in the town, the last thing we did as a council was to put in a youth shelter for them.
'But If they want to go skating they have to go over to Eaton Park, which is on the other side of Norwich. This [skate park] will allow them to stay local. We have a lot of good recreation space here, but there is room for improvement.'
Town clerk Thomas Foreman said the skate park could cost up to £267,000 and would be designed for young people on skateboards, bikes and scooters.
It would be partly funded by £80,000 of Section 106 money from the nearby Pinebanks housing development.
The council has been working alongside the Friends of Thorpe St Andrew Parks group on the proposals for the past seven years.
During that time there have been two public consultations and an exhibition to find out what people wanted from the area.
Mr Foreman said the latest consultation in December found the running track around the recreation ground, the children's play area and the Viking longboat-shaped earthwork to be priorities. He added that the overall project costs for the improvements to Dussindale Park, off Pound Lane, would be between £450,000 to £550,000.
Meanwhile, the recreation ground on Laundry Lane could cost between £125,000 and £240,000.
Friends of Thorpe St Andrew Park member Christine Beake, 39, said: 'This is really important as the parks are right next to the high school and the area is very family orientated.
'At the moment there is not a lot to do there really and you have families making trips to Eaton [Park] when you have these parks on your door step.'
The council is now looking for young people in Thorpe St Andrew to get in touch regarding the design of the skate park.
It is also seeking sponsorship towards the cost of the project.
To get involved call Thorpe St Andrew Town Council on 01603 701048 or email office@thorpestandrew-tc.gov.uk
Are you looking to improve a park in your area? Call Luke Powell on 01603 772684
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