Elba Park

In the five years since the park has been open to the community further infrastructure has been added to the site. There are four picnic tables, five additional benches, an additional 1,800 metres of foot paths and a 10 bay car park. Our managing partner Groundwork hosts a variety of events, activities and education sessions throughout the year and engage directly with thousands of people from the local area.

22 Birkdale Dr, Houghton le Spring DH4 6GQ

Site of the Year Nomination

Sunderland Elba Park is immaculately managed. Extensive, floristically rich grasslands contrast with smaller areas of neat amenity grassland, creating the perfect recreation space for the many hundred daily visitors, set within a wildlife-rich landscape. For wildlife, maturing woodland blocks are becoming important havens for nesting birds, while the recently enhanced lake and reedbed, along with the riparian habitats, support a rich diversity of birds and invertebrates and even showed signs of use by otters in a recent survey. For people, the site is kept litter-free and the notice boards refreshed. Portland Academy’s visit and weekly attendance show the importance of education, whilst community events are popular. These focus on family activities during the school holidays, which benefitted from support from Sunderland City Council, allowing all the children to receive a snack and drink to help combat holiday hunger. On top of this, a total of 67 volunteering sessions were held during the year. All in all, a brilliant site.