Manchester’s Mayfield Park opening date revealed for the first new public park in city centre in a century

Manchester city centre’s first new public park in more than 100 years will finally be open to the public for the first time this week.

Mayfield Park, on an old industrial site near Piccadilly railway station, has been transformed into a new green space and features a children’s adventure playground and river walkways.

It will be open from dawn to dusk seven days a week, with the main entrance on Baring Street.

When will Mayfield Park open?

Following an 18-month transformation, Mayfield Park will open to the public at 12.30pm on Thursday (22 September).

The park was previously given the green light by the city council to host events and it features a playpark with an 18m (60ft) long slide across the River Medlock as its centre-piece.

It has taken six years to plan and deliver the project which received £23m investment from the Government’s Getting Building Fund which was delivered via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

‘Momentous day’

Martyn Evans, creative director at U+I, the regeneration company leading the Mayfield development on behalf of the Mayfield Partnership said: “September 22 is a momentous day for Mayfield, and Manchester.

“The greatest cities in the world offer a true blend of amazing culture, great architecture and green space. Manchester is one such city and Mayfield Park adds a significant piece of new, family-friendly, inclusive green space to the city centre.

“It’s been a true team effort with our project team and our partners at Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and LCR working closely with local building contractors PP O’Connor to deliver the park.

“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and we’re excited to welcome our first visitors on 22 September.”

Coun Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “There are some projects that feel so momentous in the development story of our city that we look forward to them with great anticipation. Mayfield Park is one of those developments - a project that has true transformational potential for this part of our city.

"It’s with excitement then that we can look ahead to the official opening of the city centre’s first public park in 100 years later this week. We know the massive health and well-being benefits that green spaces can have for our residents and increasing access to parks for our residents is a key priority for us. Mayfield will be a 6.5 acre oasis at the heart of our city.

"Green investment is fundamental to our wider ambitions to improve air quality and underpins our work to strengthen Manchester’s resilience to climate change. Mayfield is a park first and foremost, but it is also a statement that development in the city can and should celebrate green spaces to become a focal point in our communities.

"Importantly, Mayfield also represents a significant economic boost for Manchester. The partnership has shopped local when procuring contractors to make sure that employment opportunities have benefited local companies and local people first. During the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it’s this type of development that provides the jobs that our residents need - and makes sure Manchester people continue to share in the success of our city."