Sunnymead Recreation Ground
About the site
Sunnymead Recreation Ground is a community park located in the Denby Dale ward. Kirklees Council has Section 106 funding from a local development to invest into the park.
The recreation ground has a recently (2017) improved play site, and a football pitch. The remainder of the site is open space, mainly mown grass and a mix of informal/formal footpaths from multiple entrances around the site.
Sunnymead Recreation Ground
Sunnymead Recreation Ground Football Pitch
Sunnymead Recreation Ground Map
The design process
Together with Local Ward Councillors, several initial proposals for what the funding could be put towards were created. These proposals focused on the following:
- The play area
- Site drainage
- Seating/social space provision
- Public art/Creative space provision
- Increasing Biodiversity
An initial consultation took place with the community in September 2023 and following this, a more detail design was created, focusing on the priorities for the site as per community feedback.
The new design focuses on 3 key priorities:
- Additional play items
- Accessibility improvements
- Tree Planting
Sunnymead Recreation Ground overview
Sunnymead Recreation Ground equipment and resurfacing overview
A fourth priority of making Football Pitch Improvements is currently awaiting further information from an ongoing survey/assessment of the pitch and will be developed at a later date.
Have your say
This survey is now closed and the results have been analysed. Minimal changes have been made to the design as a result due to the response being positive towards to proposed improvements.
Next steps
Some small tweaks to the design are currently being worked through, which include:
- The change of A Frame Barriers to K Barriers, to allow for easier access for wheelchair and pushchair users
- The change of the style of sheltered seating adjacent to the play area to something less artistic
Once these tweaks have been made, the scheme will be developed into a procurement package to tender for a contractor for the works.
Exploration into the best solution to improve the drainage of the football pitch is also underway, with some of the funds set aside for potential Phase 2 works to the pitch.