First look: Ancoats Green reopens after refurb with playground and mobility hub

Ancoats Green will officially reopen to the public this Saturday, 17 May, following a major renovation that has transformed the park into a vibrant new community space in the heart of Manchester.

The refurbished park is part of a larger £40 million investment aimed at improving public spaces in the Ancoats neighbourhood. It sits alongside the new Ancoats Mobility Hub and No. 1 Ancoats Green, the City Council’s first development under its This City housing scheme. Together, these projects are paving the way for 1,500 new homes in the area, including more than 500 already under construction by Manchester Life.

Visitors to the updated park will find new green spaces, play areas with accessible equipment, wide footpaths, and flexible open areas suitable for small community events. A focus on nature has brought in wildflower meadows, more trees, and new planting, boosting local biodiversity and supporting climate resilience.

The redesign also emphasises walking and cycling, with new routes that better connect Ancoats Green to the wider city centre. Historical elements have been incorporated into the space too, with features inspired by the area’s industrial past, such as the old flint glass works. Many of the materials used in the park – like granite setts and stone from local building projects – have been reclaimed and reused to create a more sustainable environment. Water drainage is also managed using modern, eco-friendly systems.

To celebrate the reopening, a family-friendly event hosted by This City will take place in the park on Saturday.

Funding for the project came from a combination of Homes England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Land Fund, and Manchester City Council.

Council Leader Bev Craig said the transformation is part of a city-wide effort to invest in green spaces and put people first in neighbourhood planning. “Ancoats Green will be the heart of the community – a place for people to relax, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy nature in the middle of the city. This project shows how we’re putting residents’ priorities first – investing in great public spaces and more affordable homes.”

Anna Marohn, one of the landscape architects behind the redesign, described the project as a “privilege” to work on. She said the new park offers “a lush green space in the city centre that celebrates local heritage and brings nature back into urban life.” The addition of wildflower areas, bird boxes, and new trees is expected to greatly boost local biodiversity.

The wider regeneration of Ancoats also includes new housing developments and infrastructure that support a low-traffic, pedestrian-first neighbourhood. This includes No. 1 Ancoats Green – part of the Council’s This City initiative – which will offer 30% affordable housing and is due to be completed this summer.

Matthew Burl, director at Buttress, which helped design the Mobility Hub and new housing, said the projects are about more than just infrastructure. “It’s about creating places where communities can thrive, and where sustainability is built into daily life,” he said.

Ancoats Green is just the latest chapter in a regeneration story that’s been unfolding for over 20 years – and it’s helping shape the future of one of Manchester’s most dynamic neighbourhoods.