Maryport play park project to begin as part of £12m project

This exciting attraction will be on the site of Shiver Me Timbers, down on the town’s harbourside. This popular wooden playpark has served residents and visitors well, but after 25 years of use it is showing its age and becoming beyond repair.

Cumberland Council, which is installing the colourful new equipment, consulted the public on the design and more than 1,500 responded.

The selection process saw two potential themes of pirates or ocean wildlife presented to the public online and at key locales around town, with more than 130 local school children casting their votes too.

The pirate theme won more than 70 per cent of the vote against the ocean wildlife theme. 

How the new play park might look (Image: Supplied)

An earlier consultation asked residents what Maryport was lacking and many of the respondents said more activities were needed for children of all ages and that a splashpark would be a hugely popular addition.

Play equipment specialists Kompan won the tender to build the new facilities and they have created this nautically inspired design which will feature slides, swings, a zipwire and more.

The park's facilities will cater to youngsters of all ages, including those who need accessible play equipment, while there will also be seating for their parents and carers.

This project is part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration of Maryport and its historic harbourside, using funding provided by central government in the Future High Streets Fund.

Maryport Town Council will be managing the play area once work is completed, while the team at the neighbouring Lake District Coast Aquarium have supported Cumberland Council in developing the scheme.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer said:

“This is going to look brilliant and will bring yet another attraction to Maryport’s lovely harbourside. Once the neighbouring new event space is completed, the former Wave centre is refurbished, and the new café and bike and skate park are built on the Prom, Maryport’s waterfront will be an even more fantastic destination.”

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