By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
A new skate park for Riverside Park is one of seventeen projects revealed as part of a £1.5million investment in green spaces and community assets across Southampton.
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Leaders at Southampton City Council have announced how they plan to use money from the government’s Pride in Place impact funding.
The list of projects includes play areas, recreation grounds, parks and heritage assets.
The skate park at Riverside Park in February 2026
It also features the creation of a new community hub, a school road safety initiative and an organ restoration following ideas from council officers and suggestions by councillors.
Portswood Library will benefit from various refurbishment measures.
The projects, which will feature in the Labour administration’s 2026/27 budget proposals, need to be delivered by April next year.
The skate park at Riverside Park in 2021
Cllr Simon Letts, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “We were delighted to be allocated £1.5million by the Labour government to invest into our green spaces and community assets.
“We will be delivering 17 projects across the city covering everything from a new skatepark in Riverside Park to the creation of a public service hub in Shirley precinct.
“Because to access these funds we have to complete these projects within the next fifteen months, residents should see improvements within the year.”
The full list of projects and funding requirements is as follows:
- Riverside Park replacement skate park (£275,000)
- Portswood Library upgrade toilet facilities, kitchenette and front door (£40,000)
- Sturminster House play area and multi-use games area (£100,000)
- Houndwell Park replacement play area equipment (£200,000)
- Peartree Common replacement play area kit (£150,000)
- Girls in Parks improvements through group consultation to make parks and play more ‘girl friendly’ (£100,000)
- Support creation of UK’s first cognitive assistive technology centre in Southampton at Lordshill Library (£20,000)
- Establishing a multi-agency community hub in Woolston Library following pilot scheme (£30,000)
- Creation of multi-agency community hub in response to anti-social behaviour in Shirley Library (£100,000)
- ‘Green Mile’ project to transform urban corridor from London Road to The Avenue and Northlands Road (£50,000)
- Veracity Ground upgrades with new play and gym equipment, pump track and pavilion improvements (£100,000)
- Old Town heritage restoration outside the West Gate, new benches in two parks and restoring lamp in St Michael’s Square (£50,000)
- Northam Community Centre internal and external improvements with essential maintenance, repairs and upgrades (£150,000)
- Hoglands Park lockable gates to prevent illegal use (£20,000)
- Freshfield Park enhancements to existing green with play area and dog exercise space (£30,000)
- Restoration of the Compton Organ at the Guildhall (£25,000)
- Infrastructure outside Thornhill Primary School to tackle parents parking on pavements and verges (£50,000)
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