Mayfield Park in Manchester: a first look inside the new city centre park on its official opening day

A new park has been officially opened in Manchester city centre and is the first green space in the centre for over one hundred years.

Mayfield Park, on the old industrial site next to Escape to Freight Island, opened to the public today (22 September) after six years in the planning.

The area was once home to textile firms in the industrial era but now it’s been brought back to life as a much-needed green space in the heart of the city.

At the heart of the park is the River Medlock which after more than 50 years under a concrete covering has been restored as a haven for nature.

City council leader Bev Craig cut the ribbon at the opening and 100 children from city schools were invited along to try out the adventure playpark, yoga and a game of football.

Coun Craig said: “To see Mayfield come to life today has been a wonderful experience. And to see the park go from visualisation to reality – and surpass our expectations – is a credit to the hard work that has gone into building and sculpting this former brownfield land into a world-class green space that this city, and local people, can be truly proud of.

“We believe in the power of this sort of space to be the green heart of our communities, which is why quality public areas should be considered a fundamental to development in Manchester. We know that access to green spaces have huge health and well-being benefits and I hope Mayfield Park becomes an oasis for our residents.”

Duncan Paybody, a landscape architect involved in the development of the park, said: “As a city centre, it really hasn’t got a massive amount of green spaces.

“A lot more people live in the city centre and it’s not just a place to come and work, it’s a place to come and live and green spaces are really important to that.

“Hopefully it forms an important part of improving people’s mental health and escaping the busyness of a city centre.”

Mayfield Park has been created by the public-private Mayfield Partnership, which comprises regeneration specialist U+I, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and LCR, the UK Government’s placemaking expert.

The park is the first step in the £1.5bn Mayfield masterplan which is creating a new sustainable, mixed-use neighbourhood in the city centre.

Martyn Evans, creative director at U+I, said: “Mayfield has always been an industrious part of this great city. In Victorian times it was a city within a city, powering Manchester’s role in the Industrial Revolution. As we look to the future it feels entirely appropriate that Mayfield will set a new blueprint for the creation of beautiful, progressive, sustainable neighbourhoods.

““All too often, green space is an afterthought in development. We wanted the city to feel an instant connection with this place, so we began with a park. As a new neighbourhood grows around the park, the stunning views and tranquil spaces the will be a key reason why people choose to live and work here.”