Rejuvenating Durham's Wharton Park

Rejuvenating Durham's Wharton Park

Wharton Park, Durham
Wharton Park, Durham

Parks for People

Elvet and Gilesgate
County Durham
Durham County Council
£2496200
This ambitious project brought one of the North East’s oldest parks back to its former glory.

The scheme transformed Durham City’s historic Wharton Park and resulted in several new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.

The public was granted use of the park by W. L. Wharton in 1858 and it was the site of the first Durham Miners’ Gala in 1871. The park, which includes a play area, gardens, walks and other recreational activities, needed significant investment in order to improve its facilities and increase visitor numbers.

As part of the restoration project, a new heritage centre and café were created, new play areas and outdoor fitness equipment was installed and improvements made to the park’s amphitheatre, miniature car track, footpaths, signs and main entrances.

A programme of events and activities was planned as part of the project, with other measured undertaken to improve how the park is maintained for the future.

New jobs, including a park manager, café manager and assistants, were created along with a number of apprenticeship opportunities.