Sandbach Park

/Sandbach Park
Phase one

Phase one Sandbach Partnership commissioned Ryder Landscape Consultants Ltd to produce a Concept Design for Sandbach Park. The designs were based on the views expressed by park users and residents through extensive consultation exercise, the final feedback from this consultation enabled Ryder to finalise proposals and cost the master plans. The final design included some exciting proposals relating to children’s play, youth facilities, adult recreation, environmental improvements, and visitor and event infrastructure.

2010
2011
Phase Two

Sandbach Partnership working with Cheshire East kick-started phase two of the park development project by announcing an award of £29.7k from the government funded Play Builders Fund for adventure play equipment. After consultation with young people of that age group a variety of equipment that suits the play needs of 8-12 year olds (primarily) was installed this includes a Zip wire and a five-metre-high climbing frame.

Friends of Sandbach Park

At Sandbach Today event the partnership launched a Friends of Sandbach Park Group, the public were invited to express a show of interest in forming a group. From that response, an exploratory meeting was held on 5th November.

The group was launched and today it is recognised as the best park friends group in Cheshire East.

2011
2012
Toddlers Play Area

In April 2012 a play area for toddlers up to 8 years was opened within the sensory garden, this was funded by Sandbach Town Council. The old toddlers play area was resurfaced and used as a hard-standing area for refreshment vendors and a picnic area was formed in the adjacent grassed area.

Multi Use Games Area

Work has commenced on the Multi Use Games Area and the Green Gym and both areas were completed early in April 2012.

The MUGA provides facilities for 5-a-side Football, Netball, Tennis and Rounder’s and the remaining Tennis Court will undergo a complete refurbishment.

The Green Gym provides adults with a free opportunity to get fit and active in the park and there will also be a new picnic area adjacent to the new facilities.

2011
2012
Toilets

The toilet refurbishment was coordinated by Cheshire East Council Assets team and was completed in of March 2012. The toilet refurbishment included facilities for people with a disability and baby changing.

Pond

The aim of this project was to revitalise the whole of the Pond area to improve the habitat for existing and new species, increase public awareness of this area of the Park and improve accessibility for all.

Additional pond levels were introduced with a new boardwalk, which allows pond dipping enabling the Pond to be used as an educational resource especially for local schools.

The pond area and boardwalk were completed in March 2014, the boardwalk is completely accessible for all.

2014
2015
Green Flag

Working together, to develop an extensive Management Plan, Sandbach Partnership, ANSA and Cheshire East Council were pleased to announce that Sandbach Park was awarded Green flag status in 2015.

Boules and Table Tennis

In 2015 with funding from Sandbach Town Council an outdoor table tennis table was installed and a Boules pitch. The U3A hold regular sessions on Friday mornings and the facilities are regulars in use by all age groups.

2015
2015
Paths Project

The paths project in the park started in 2015 with the upgrade of the path leading down from Adlington drive into the park, funded with a small amount from CEC park development fund. The path benefited from levelling which alleviated the problems the public had in the winter with ice, the path was a real hazard.

In 2016, using Section 106 funding, the path leading across the bottom of the park passed the pond area was widened and levelled, this ensured the path was accessible and alleviated the drainage problem on that path.

During 2018 the path from the MUGA to the pond area was redesign. The path was not accessible for wheelchair users or pushchairs, the area was redesigned with a DDA compliant path, seating and picnic areas.

The project was funded by Sandbach Town Council with money they have in reserve for Sandbach Park. Now the project has been completed the local running group, Striders, are going to coordinate a junior park run on Saturday’s mornings in the park.

Telephone Kiosk

The Telephone kiosk was removed from Platt Ave in April 2016 as part of the BT adopt a kiosk scheme, the Partnership got involved as a direct response to pubic requests to save the kiosk.

The kiosk, a K6 designed by designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of King George V in 1935, has under gone a total refurbishment starting with a complete sandblast to remove all the old paintwork. CEC Care4force who support individuals to get back to work, restored it to its former glory using an authentic paint and glaze kit purchased by the Partnership from a specialist company.

The refurbish kiosk was then installed in Sandbach Park in Spring 2017, a public consultation was held over the summer to get ideas on what the public would like the kiosk to be used for, ideas that are feasible are:

  • Library – book swap. The option here is to provide a box with a “take one and bring on “sign, a few books to start and see how it evolves.
  • Information Point -Local Events and group advertisements.
  • Borrow an umbrella – Invest in a few brightly coloured umbrellas with Sandbach park printed on, then see if the scheme works.
  • Map of Sandbach park

Defibulator -This has been suggested by several people, However, since the consultation Cheshire fire Authority have install one outside the Fire Station adjacent to the Kiosk.

The next steps were to refurbish the inside, and this was completed in Spring 2019 with the help of local volunteers.

 

2017
2019
Wild Flower Area

Working with ANSA, Friends of Sandbach Park and Cheshire East Council the Partnership has developed a wet area at the bottom of the park into a Wild Flower Area. Cheshire Wildlife Association have taken soil samples and have advised on what native plants will do well, we are looking forward to the first wildflower display in 2019.

Green Flag

Sandbach Partnership has continued to work with ANSA and Cheshire East Council to develop an extensive Management Plan, we are pleased to announce that Sandbach Park was awarded Green flag status in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

2019
2023
At the heart of Sandbach

The park hosts a number of events and activities across the year from organised walks during COVID restrictions to the vibrant PRIDE events of 2022 and 2023.

Friends of Sandbach Park are an enthusiastic team of volunteers who help to maintain and improve Sandbach Park in the heart of the town.

Their efforts are recognised in the parks’ ongoing achievement of the Green Flag award from 2020 to 2023.

Sandbach Partnership