Withy Grove playground

Withy Grove Park

Withy Grove Park is the largest and most prestigious park within Bamber Bridge and is currently being developed to be one of South Ribble’s three major parks. Located next to Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre, the park includes the borough’s flagship play area, the first phase of the park’s regeneration. This page provides further information about the park, its location and the facilities that have been developed so far.

Site Location:  Brindle Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 6YJ

Managing Authority:  South Ribble Borough Council

Grid Reference:  SD 569 259

Size:  15.5 hectares

Withy Grove Park is located in the centre of Bamber Bridge, a small town situated in the north of the Borough of South Ribble and to the south of the City of Preston.  The park's landscape comprises of two distinct areas divided by groups of woodland.  The eastern side includes Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre, sports pitches and the borough's new flagship playground and is accessed from Brindle Road to the east.  The western side of the park currently consists of meadows and groups of trees and is accessed from Sergeant Street, Withy Grove Close and from the Asland Close pedestrian level crossing.   

The park is easily accessible by both public transport and car, and is approximately 1.5 miles from junction 1A of the M65 motorway.  Pedestrian access can be gained to the park at several locations with a car park for visitors located next to the leisure centre and accessed from Brindle Road on the eastern side of the park.  A second car park can be accessed from Withy Grove Close on the northern side of the site.  Public vehicles are not permitted to enter the park beyond the parking areas.

The first phase of Withy Grove Park's improvement included the construction of a £540,000 landmark play area.  Opened in 2007, the playground is one of the largest free facilities of its type in the North West and has been designed to contain a range of equipment that caters for all ages across three zones.  The site is lit until 9pm in the toddler and junior areas and 10pm in the teen area.  For security and public safety the playground is covered by a cctv system.   

Phase 2 of the park's improvement is currently being carried out with works on site due to be completed by the summer of 2009.  The work involves improving and expanding the leisure centre car park, upgrading the existing stone path leading to the new playground to create a newly surfaced tree-lined avenue complete with new benches, providing a new path through the woodland linking the end of the new avenue with the car park on Withy Grove Close and draining the 'rugby training pitch' so that it can be used to the same extent as the park's other main pitches. 

The Ranger Service continues to seek the help of interested volunteers who would like to join the Friends of Withy Grove Park to help with the environmental improvements already being carried out.  Anyone interested in joining the group can obtain further information by calling the rangers on 01772 422316 or emailing parks@southribble.gov.uk.