{content}

Central Park

Central Park is Scunthorpe’s premier park situated close to the centre of Scunthorpe.

Green Flag Logo

Main photograph above supplied by Chris Houghton.

Ariel view Central Park

Fountain Central Park

Plaque for Captain Tom Moore

Central Park, image from library archives

Armed Forces colleagues

Central Park in winter

The main car park is accessed from the Kingsway on the A18. There is also a secondary car par park accessible from Ashby Road, the A159. Car parking here is free of charge.

Main features

Enjoyed by all generations it holds something for everyone, whilst consistently achieving international accreditation for excellence.

Created as part of the Festival of Britain to celebrate the end of World War II, it continues to serve as the area’s premier park and North Lincolnshire’s most comprehensive example of fusing environmental sustainability, horticultural diversity and public facilities.

The formal gardens are situated in front of The Pods Leisure Centre on Ashby Road. They feature attractive footpaths and cycle ways through the beautiful displays of formal bedding, herbaceous borders, specimen trees and shrub beds at their height throughout the spring and summer months. With over 20 formal display areas and manicured beds the park caters for all horticultural interest.

Wildlife is abundant with a substantial and rich diversity of trees and shrubbed areas.

The park demonstrates unique environmental practices with mulching stations, carbon gardens and wildlife development areas. The park is one of North Lincolnshire Council’s location for in-house growing and plant development.

Fountain gardens

This area features an impressive fountain set in a formal garden found in the centre of a large green open space, interlaced with meandering footpaths and a large variety of specimen trees. Read more about the fountain and see some stunning photos taken by local photographers.

Environmental features

At over 55 acres in size the park is home to 100s of trees and over 20 plant/shrub beds teaming with flora and fauna. The park is constantly developing in-line with North Lincolnshire Council’s commitment to the environment with new features that include herb beds, fruit orchards, environment and bug zones and most recently the Carbon Garden.

The boulevard

This is the main thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists which crosses the park in an east to west direction between The Pods and North Lindsey College. The boulevard is supplemented with plentiful park pathways meaning a walk around the park can be as long or as short as desired. Be sure to participate in the weekly Park Run that attracts 100s of fitness seekers of all abilities.

Central hub and play facilities

At the centre of the park there is an excellent play facility with lots to offer for children of all ages. Featuring the Nutshell Café, occupied by The Cookie People, serving a range of treats and refreshments. This central hub is a vibrant area easily accessed from the car parks via the adjoining footpaths and the boulevard. Picnic tables are available for use in this area.

There is also a fully accessible Splashpad, suitable for accompanied children from three to 12 years old, which operates throughout the summer season. No dogs are allowed in this area.

There is a secure, fully accessible play area split into three zones for children of all ages with seating and grassed picnic areas:

  • The centre zone features a wet play area, a sand pit and a junior play area with a variety of equipment suitable for children from two to six years old.
  • Close by is a junior to teens zone with an impressive embankment slide and challenging climbing frame with monkey bars.
  • The third zone is also suitable for juniors and teens featuring a zip wire and space nets on bark safety surfacing.

No dogs are allowed in these areas.

Friends group

Any local residents and park users who are interested in forming a Friends Group to support and develop Central Park should contact our Customer Contact Centre for information and details of support available.

Memorials 

The park hosts an award winning Baby Rainbow Memorial garden designed to provide an uplifting memorial space.

A walk through the park will reveal multiple memorials to local charities and industry. We welcome donations of memorial benches and specimen trees, spring bulbs and bedding plants in our parks. Please contact our Customer Contact Centre for details.

Events in Central Park

A 5km Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning and is gaining in popularity, with hundreds of people taking part.

The park is available to hire for large and small events, subject to approval. Organisers should contact Highways and Neighbourhood Services for details of the booking procedure and prices.

Sports pitches are also available to hire via Leisure Services.

Feedback from some of the visitors to Central Park:

  • “Best 10k route we’ve run”
  • “Never realised Scunthorpe was so green”
  • “Wish we had a Central Park in Grimsby”
  • “free mocktail and cookie – see you next year”

Fantastic challenges, with an obsessive focus on reducing our environmental impact and getting people moving in or around our green spaces.

Further information including signing up for the 2024 event is available on the Big Green Event website.

The park is always accessible to the public.

The car park is open from 8am to dusk.

Report an issue

If you need to report an issue with broken equipment or vandalism, please complete the form below: