New images show plans for Manchester’s ‘first city centre park’ featuring see-through slide over River Medlock

Dazzling new images have revealed the vision for Manchester’s ‘first city centre public park’ currently under construction at Mayfield.

The images, shared with the Manchester Evening News by developer The Mayfield Partnership, show how the park’s unique design will be formed around six dramatic towers, all of which will reach ten metres in height and will be shaped like chimneys in tribute to Manchester’s industrial past.

The park, named ‘Mayfield Play Yard’, will cater to children of all ages and abilities with crawl tunnels, elevated rope bridges, eight slides and wheelchair accessible play equipment, and will span more than 6.5-acres in size, making it the largest public playground in the city.

There will also be an 18m-long see-through slide crossing over the newly-restored River Medlock, featuring clear polycarbonate windows.

Mayfield Partnership

Mayfield Partnership

Mayfield Play Park comes as part of the £1.4billion regeneration project at Mayfield, which includes the construction of thousands of new homes, offices and leisure attractions. The project has been brought to life by The Mayfield Partnership, a public private joint venture partnership between LCR, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and regeneration specialist U+I. 

A statement on the Mayfield website reads: “Together, we have a vision for a bustling, buzzing, inclusive world-class urban neighbourhood that’s like nowhere else in the city. We want to create an area with soul that’s a magnet for families, businesses and visitors. 

“The long-term plan for Mayfield is to create an iconic, £1bn mixed-use community over the next 10 years, including a 6.5-acre public park, outstanding office space, and unique shopping and leisure experiences.

“Rest assured, as partners we’ve got the skills, experience, intelligence, imagination and audacity to turn the Mayfield vision into a brilliant reality that everyone in Manchester can be proud of.”

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig added: “Mayfield is one of the key developments creating new opportunities, and crucially significant new public green space for Manchester people to enjoy, in the coming years. The opening of the new park later this year will be a big moment.

“It’s incredibly well-connected, close to Piccadilly Station and will help enhance links with Ardwick, Ancoats and New Islington.

“It’s another vibrant symbol of ongoing confidence in the city’s recovery from the economic impacts of the pandemic and I’m glad we’ve had the opportunity to showcase it to a senior government figure.”

Mayfield Play Park is set for completion this autumn. For more information and updates, visit the Mayfield website.