Initial consultation regarding the need for play facilities at the site involved a group of young people who had approached the Council with a petition requesting a memorial to their friend Daniel Banks who had been killed in a road accident on Washdyke Lane in 2006.

At the same time, the consultation revealed a need for facilities for teenagers in the area with adults and children alike suggesting a kickwall or youth area in the park.

Since then, the group has been working with an artist, a landscape architect from Ashfield District Council and Hucknall Youth Service to develop designs for the memorial.

A series of workshops have now been held, at which the group has made models, taken pictures and created personal memorial plaques which will all be used in the final design.

The resulting memorial incorporates a partly sheltered seating spot alongside a bespoke kickwall and basketball area, to be located at the far side of the recreation ground.

The area will incorporate a permanent home for the flag which has so far stood as a memorial on Washdyke Lane.

A recent consultation event was held where local residents could view and discuss the proposals for the memorial youth area as well as the new playground.

This was also attended by council officers, young people who have contributed to the design, police and local councillors. The artist presented a model of the seating area, based on a design created and chosen by the group. The proposals have also been on display in local shops.

Fabrication of the design is about to start and it is planned that some members of the group will visit the workshop to see its development and play a part in its construction, prior to installation on site in the spring.

Both projects are being funded through Section 106 monies, secured by Ashfield District Council from local housing developments specifically for improvements to parks and local spaces.