Work begins on Manchester's first urban 'eco' park » Communities » 24dash.com

Work has now started on Manchesters first urban 'eco' park, with the aim of bringing greenery and water to the heart of the city.

Located in New Islington, Manchesters Millennium Community, the park, which is nearly four acres in size, is the developments centrepiece.

Landscape architects, Grant Associates and engineers Martin Stockley Associates have incorporated islands, decking, boardwalks and bridges into the design of a boating lake, which is framed by a reed bed.

The 'eco park will also feature a beach, a 'community orchard ian idea suggested by local residents, follies and an area of public open space containing a range of trees and wildflowers creating a variety of habitats for wildlife.

A mooring 'island will take up to six narrow boats, and the lake will also offer rowing boat hire, paddling, fishing and picnicking areas. The lake spills out to create canal fingers that lead to New Islingtons quayside developments.

Situated on the edge of the city centre and with a pedestrian route creating a new link between the Rochdale and Ashton canals, the parks landscape gently slopes down into the new waterway, forming a valley.

Robert Hough, Chairman of New East Manchester Ltd, said: "The first municipal park in the world was built in East Manchester so it is fitting that this innovative new park will be located here.

"This highly imaginative use of open space is designed to be fun, educational and community focused and Im sure it will bring an enormous amount of enjoyment to local people and visitors alike."

David Chilton, senior regeneration manager of English Partnerships, said: "English Partnerships Millennium Communities are all about building places where people will want to live.

"People need houses, but they also need space to enjoy life, and this water park will be the ideal place to do just that.

"The whole development is about new ways of doing things and thinking about the longer term effects, or the 'sustainability of the scheme.

"The work starting on the water park is another element of what will make the New Islington Millennium Community special.

"Its much more than building houses, its about building a community with facilities isuch as the water park - which in turn makes it a place where people will want to live. "

Richard Hattan, Associate Director, Urban Splash, said: "The water park is the centrepiece of New Islington and will be a great space asset, not only to the residents and workers in New Islington but for the whole of Manchester to enjoy.

"It will really stamp the identity of New Islington on the area and enhance the massive changes we are already delivering including Islington Square, the houses designed by FAT, and the completed remodelling of Old Mill Street."

Steve Pugmire, Engineering Manager, British Waterways added:" The new era of canals has changed communities across the North West.
"The new water park will be at the heart of the development at New Islington and will be a rare attraction on the outskirts of the city centre for all to enjoy."

Work on the water park is undertaken by Volker Stevin and the new facility will be open for public use from summer 2007.

The water park is part of New Islington, Manchesters Millennium Community, which in turn is one of English Partnerships seven Millennium Communities, New Islington is a partnership between national regeneration agency English Partnerships, Urban Splash and New East Manchester Ltd together with appointed social landlord, Manchester Methodist Housing Group.

The 29-acre site, just east of Manchester city centre is being radically transformed to a strategic and ambitious vision created by Will Alsop.

A new canal and water park, over 1,400 new homes, office space, a school, a health clinic, shops, bars and restaurants are planned to be created, using the worlds best architecture.