Parks and Open Spaces

West Park

West Park is the largest park in the Borough of Erewash and has achieved Green Flag status a number of times.

As well as a large range of excellent outdoor sports and recreational facilities, the park has significant local historic importance and has a number of historic features. The park also hosts a range of events, which attract thousands of people.

Recently, the park has undergone a huge programme of improvements to make it an even more welcoming place to visit and we are committed to continuously improving the facilities.

Splashpad

The Splashpad at West Park, Long Eaton is free to use and is open daily from 10am to 6pm until the end of September. There’s free car parking and it’s a great family day out.

Parkrun

A Parkrun is held at the park every Saturday at 9am and is a flat, fast course which sees runners complete 5km over two laps of the parks. Find out more on the Parkrun website.

Park facilities

Football, Cricket, Rugby and Baseball Pitches
Tennis Courts
Bowling Greens
Outdoor Gym
Croquet Lawn
Multi Use Games Area
Bandstand
Café
Splashpad
Sun Shade and Sun Meter
Play Areas
Tree Trail
Orienteering Course
Sustrans Cycle trail.

Vehicle access permit to the park

In order to enjoy the park some residents and visitors may need to use their vehicles to access some areas of the park. To do this you need an access permit and must agree to the terms and conditions of the permit:

5mph restriction
Hazard warning lights to be used
Beacons to be used, where fitted
Pedestrians have Right of Way
Drive carefully and be courteous at all times, giving way to other park users.

Email sportsbookings@erewash.gov.uk for an application form. A permit will last until the 30 April and you will be invited to reapply before the permit becomes invalid.

West Park Cafe

The cafe, known as West Perk Cafe serves a large range of beverages, as well as freshly prepared hot and cold snacks.

Tree Trail

Over the last few years, a Tree Trail has been incorporated into the park for the pleasure of visitors. This mile-long trail will take approximately one hour to complete.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park in Ilkeston has two entrances on the corners of Drummond Road/Bristol Road and of Manners Road/Bristol Road.

The park was established in 1897 and hosts a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflower and lawn areas to walk around and relax in.

It has a bowling green pavilion, a refreshment kiosk, toilet facilities and a community room for use by the bowls club and local groups.

The park has undergone a programme of improvements to make it an even more welcoming place to visit and we are committed to continuously improving the facilities.

Park features include:

Play Areas
Table Tennis table
Bowling Green
Bowls pavilion with accessible toilet and baby changing facilities
Timber pergola with marble pillars
Heritage gates at top and bottom entrances
Bandstand
Refreshment kiosk
Tree Trail
Links to cycle trail

Vehicle access

Private vehicles are not permitted to access this park beyond the two car parks without prior written permission from EBC. When granted this is subject to the following rules:

5mph restriction
Hazard warning lights to be used
Beacons to be used, where fitted
Pedestrians have Right of Way
Drive carefully and always be courteous, giving way to other park users.

Nature Reserves

The council has 12 sites with Local Nature Reserve status, the latest addition being at the former Pewit Golf Course in Ilkeston:

Pewit Coronation Meadows Local Nature Reserve

A new 25-acre nature reserve at West End Drive will soon be a haven for nature that the entire community can enjoy.

A long-term 30-year plan for the land is being drawn up with the support of Natural England.

The nature reserve will boast a mix of woodland planting, fruit trees, grasslands and “open mosaic habitat creation”. This involves a patchwork of varying habitats to support a wide range of plant and animal species.

There will be footpaths and trails. These will link to the wider Nutbrook Trail plus Straws Bridge and the nearby natural havens of Manor Floods and Pewit Carr.

The aim is to enable the consolidation of a much wider area to achieve greater biodiversity and recreational benefit.

Funding for the project comes from what is known as a section 106 payment. This is money the authority is receiving as a result of development at the old Stanton ironworks. The nature reserve will also benefit from levelling-up investment from the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).