A NEW open space has been unveiled in Leicester.
Franklyn Fields, in Aylestone, has become the first new addition to the city council’s extensive portfolio of more than 200 parks and open spaces since 2021.
It includes a children’s play area with new equipment and a wildflower meadow to attract wildlife. There is also an outdoor gym, with equipment for strength and calisthenics training, plus new seating and a grassy recreation area. Tarmac paths on the site are accessible for wheelchairs or children’s buggies, and an access point onto the site has been created from nearby Conaglen Road.
The £430,000 space has been funded by contributions from a nearby housing developer, known as section 106 contributions. The area around the development also includes woodland spinneys, meadow areas and sustainable urban drainage features, such as swales and a basin, which will encourage biodiversity, create new habitats and help to manage and store storm water. In total, the new open space covers approximately 1.7 hectares.
Assistant city mayor for parks, Cllr Vi Dempster, joined local residents, councillors, city council staff and community members to celebrate the completion of the work and unveil the new site.
She said: “It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate this new green space and thank everyone involved in bringing it to fruition. We have already received positive feedback from the local community.
“We’re very lucky to have several large parks in Leicester, but we know that people also really value the neighbourhood green spaces that we maintain across the city. Franklyn Fields is a very welcome addition to this, and I’m sure it will be very well used.”
Find out more about Leicester’s parks and green spaces at www.leicester.gov.uk/parks