Management Plan for Firth Park - MP4-Interreg

In 2000 the Friends of Firth Park were formed to help focus attention on the plight of the
park and press the case for regenerating the park.
The decline of the park was arrested and the situation stabilised.
In 2001 the Friends Groups and Sheffield City Council secured funds to engage
consultants to undertake a feasibility Study of all aspects of the park. In March 2003
further funding was secured to take the findings of the feasibility plan forward to develop a
master plan.
2.6.8 The Neighbourhood Nursery Competition
A competition sponsored by CABE and the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative was held in
2001. This aimed to encourage new and innovative thinking about the design and
development of nursery provision. The Feasibility Study for the park had already identified
that a new building might act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the park. Sheffield City
Council put forward a proposal to relocate Shiregreen Young Children’s Centre into the
Firth Historic Park as a possible example site for the competition. It was selected and four
design teams were asked to submit their proposals. A design by Panter Hudspith was
selected as the overall winner by and eminent panel of judges in 2002.
A Project Development Officer was appointed to help refine the design and secure funding
and work with local stakeholders to refine the design and ensure it integrated with overall
vision for the park.
In late 2003 construction started with the building opened by David Blunnket MP In
November 2004. The buildings, now know as ‘First Start,’ has been designed as a multipurpose
facility and will benefit both park users and the wider community.
2.6.9 To date
The landscaping around the new park entrance was completed in mid July 2005 with new
bedding displays and seating and this linked to the new playground, which was included
in, phase one of the new community building.
Additional planting and incorporation of the Hucklow car park was included in to the park to
provide additional parking and drop off facilities for the new nursery
Following on from the official opening the new café began trading and was successful in
securing the provision of nursery school meals which will be made within the building and
was one of the first facilities in Sheffield to restore the preparation of school meals on the
same site as the nursery
Firth park festival staged in the park with may attractions and the event was well attended
The firth park Christmas festival was staged in 2006 using the park as the venues to
switch on the centres Christmas decorations
2007 New notts turf mini football, area opened to provide all weather sports usage within
the park and the development of a new sensory garden.
2008 Firth Park achieves Green Flag Standards.
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