Stunning plans submitted for new Sunderland play area at Seaburn

A popular Sunderland seafront play area is getting a brand new look, with helps from local kids.

These images show the new plans for the former Pirate Play Park site in Seaburn, with play mounds, sand pits and planted areas, as well as traditional play features such as swings, slides and roundabouts, tall towers, a climbing wall, bridges and aerial walkways.

If approved, the plans will see the new park completed by the spring. 

The park, just off Dykelands Road and Lowry Road, fits with the city  council’s ambition to ‘make Sunderland's playparks more inclusive, with bespoke play equipment for children with accessibility challenges, ensuring as many families as possible can enjoy the facilities.

Coun Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for dynamic city at Sunderland City Council, welcomed news a planning application had now been submitted :

"Our seafront is a place for everyone, and families in particular flock here to enjoy its natural beauty," he said.

"Adding to that with facilities that will enhance visitors’ experience is fantastic, and we’re pleased to be leading this brilliant development which we know will be warmly welcomed.”

Students at Seaburn Dene Primary School worked with the council to come up with ideas for the project.

Rainbow swings and a lighthouse slides were just some of the ideas that students drew up to help shape the plans.

"We hope to open this new addition in the first half of next year, in time for the summer months when we know people flock to the seaside,” added Coun Johnston.

Seaburn Dene headteacher John Howe said pupils had loved being involved: "The children were really engaged with the chance to get involved in a community project like this and used their creativity and imagination to really "dream big" about their designs.

"We're delighted to see this come to fruition and given how close we are to the site,

"I'm sure our children will be among the first children down there when it finally opens."