Manchester City Centre’s First New Park In Over 100 Years Is Set To Open This Week
The Mayfield has been undergoing a huge regeneration project, and the plans include a brand new park for the city.
Laura Rogan - Editor
Mayfield Park, Manchester city centre’s first new public park in more than 100 years, will be opening to the public for the first time this week. Over the last 18 months the vast, mostly derelict, former industrial site next to Piccadilly Station has been transformed into a stunning, accessible and varied green space for all to enjoy.
Mayfield Park’s main entrance on Baring Street will open to the public at 12.30pm on Thursday 22nd September. From then on it will be open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week – which is in line with all other parks in the city – providing local residents, visitors and communities across Manchester with a city centre oasis of green space and beautifully landscaped river walkways.
The area has been completely transformed with the 6.5-acre park surrounding the banks of the River Medlock and featuring parkland and gardens with trees and shrubbery, as well as walkways for the public to use. The park will also feature space for everyone to use, including play areas, space for sports, an urban square, floodable meadows and quiet spaces for those who want a break from the city.
The development of the space, currently home to Mayfield depot, will transform it into a vibrant new neighbourhood – ideally located by Piccadilly station for young professionals and people visiting the city.
Martyn Evans, Creative Director at U+I, the regeneration company leading the Mayfield development on behalf of the Mayfield Partnership, said: “September 22 is a momentous day for Mayfield, and Manchester.
“The greatest cities in the world offer a true blend of amazing culture, great architecture and green space. Manchester is one such city and Mayfield Park adds a significant piece of new, family-friendly, inclusive greenspace to the city centre.”
In addition to the brand new park, the scheme will also deliver 1,500 new homes, 1.6m sq ft of office space, shops, a new car park and a 650-bed hotel – and it’s expected to bring with it over 10,000 office, retail, and leisure facilities for the local community.
The Mayfield area has already seen vast improvements with the depot opening just last summer as a new venue for the city, generating £7.9m for the local economy in 2019 and attracting 225,000 people. This year, the space has become the hotspot of the town – with huge success surrounding Escape to Freight Island.
Mayfield Park will be open to the public on September 22 from 12.30pm.