Riverside Park

Riverside Park is a new park opened in 2008 along the banks of the River Mersey in Northenden. It's design has been strongly influenced by the local voluntary Friends group that established to aid it's development.  This exciting development provides a new open green public space in an neighbourhood that has previously lacked parkland. In 2009, Northenden Riverside Park won it's first Green Flag Award.

The heritage value is perhaps the park's greatest asset. The park is centred around the site of a now-gone water mill which was first established on the site over 300 years ago by the Tatton family from Wythenshawe Hall. Although no evidence of the structure is visible now, the Dig Manchester Team from the University of Manchester carried out an archaeological dig in 2006 and unearthed the foundations of the mill and also the chases that powered the wheel with water from the Mersey.

The Riverside Friends Group have been a positive force in developing the long term management of the park and obtaining additional funding for it's facilities. They have worked closely with the warden service and landscape designers to create a park that they feel meet the needs of the local community.

The Friends Group are keen to set up a wildlife group and have started collating a species list for the area. They currently hold regular bird watching sessions, which are open to all.

The Friends have an external website on: http://www.northendenriversidepark.org.uk/

Developments in the last two years

1. Creation of new paths with disabled access
2. Planting on the south side of the park between Mill Lane and the river
3. New information lecterns and opening of a new children's play area
4. New fencing and pavement