Mayfield Park is the first public park to be built in the centre of Manchester in over 100 years. Much of Manchester’s and Mayfield’s rich industrial heritage has been incorporated into the design by Studio Egret West to ensure the park stays true to its roots. The park has transformed a derelict, contaminated area with decades of industrial use behind it into a biodiverse sanctuary comprising water features, wetlands, trees, wildflowers, long lawns, play areas and rain gardens. The ‘gardenesque’ planting scheme, with its soft, natural setting, offers richness, diversity and visual impact, and comprises 140 trees of 40 different species, 63,000 plants, a wildflower meadow, lawn areas and ornamental grasses.
The River Medlock influenced the organisation of the different zones. It was opened up to create new embankments, generating a wet-dry habitat and the beginnings of a new ecosystem. The play area, complete with six play towers, reflects the industrial chimneys of the surrounding area.
