Delayed park awaits opening date two months on

No new opening date for a city centre park has been confirmed two months after it was supposed to welcome its first visitors.

Riverside Park in Sunderland was expected to open on 21 July, but instead signs were put up at the site telling people it was remaining off limits due to dry weather.

The 47 acre-facility sits on both sides of the River Wear and will eventually include walking routes, exercise zones, play areas, community spaces and a skate park.

Sunderland City Council said it had decided to "defer" the opening so planting and landscaping can become "more established". A spokesperson said: "We will announce a revised opening date in due course."

The decision to delay was, they claimed, to "help ensure the park is fully ready to welcome visitors and provide the high-quality environment we are committed to delivering".

The local authority previously said it hoped the park would create new habitats for wildlife, reintroduce new species to the area and help people live active lifestyles.

The first phase of the redevelopment includes Southern Gateway, which sits between the Riverside multi-storey car park and the new Eye Hospital.

Kingsley Gardens, a community-managed space with individual and communal plots for growing fruit and vegetables, was also due to have opened.

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