A historic County Durham park which attracts 450,000 visitors annually is set for a “giant” tower which will be “the only one of its kind” in the UK.
Hardwick Park’s redeveloped play area will get a 14.5-metre tower which has been designed to complement the park’s Gothic gatehouse and tower, designed by architect James Paine in the 18th century. Only the second of its kind in Europe, the tower is coming from Germany and will be similar to its twin found in Bietigheim-Bissingen, near Stuttgart.
It will have rope chimneys, a net bridge, slides, a range of sensory play elements, and a viewing platform looking out over the park. It is someway short of the 26-metre play structure at Lilidorei in Alnwick, but that one is the largest in the world!
The Hardwick Park Tower is part of a redevelopment of the park’s play facilities, which includes the installation of a brand-new play area with a zip line, basket swing, hammocks, an accessible roundabout, and outdoor musical instruments.
Coun James Rowlandson, said that the park was one of County Durham’s busiest. He said: “We know the park is popular with families, so we’ve committed to developing the play area into a refreshed, new space for children to play, develop their motor skills, and spend quality time outdoors.
“We are very excited to announce the park’s newest feature, which we hope will take youngsters to new heights in their play and development. The tower will be the only one of its kind in the UK, and we are looking forward to welcoming families when it opens.”
The play area near the Gothic Tower at Hardwick Park is currently closed as work to install the tower and new playground is underway. It is expected to open fully in the spring.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/historic-county-durham-park-450000-30992064
