City Stadium Park welcomes interactive football wall as part of city-wide playground improvement programme

Made up of 16 impact sensitive panels, the interactive football wall is the first of its kind to be installed in one of Newcastle’s parks. Designed for people of all ages, the football wall is packed full of games and challenges that can be done solo, or as part of a team. A special app allows users to compete for a place on a leader board and challenge different teams to set the highest score.

Funded by Sport England, it’s hoped the interactive football wall will encourage more people to spend time enjoying the city’s parks and get involved in sport and exercise.

James Cross, CEO of Urban Green Newcastle, said: “City Stadium Park is the first in Newcastle to benefit from this state-of-the-art play equipment.

“Working with Newcastle City Council, we’re in the process of upgrading many of the playgrounds in our city’s parks and this is just one example of the exciting and innovative ways we’re improving these vital community resources.

“We want parks to be places where people can pursue their passions and enjoy being in nature and the outdoors at the same time.”

Cllr John-Paul Stephenson, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Public Health, said: “The new interactive wall will give young people another edge to their football games and I’m delighted it has already had so much use from local children who are getting outdoors and being active.

“Training sessions will also be taking place with youth groups to give more of our city’s youngsters the chance to experience the interactive wall and maybe even help develop some of the stars of the future.

“This is a really clever way to broaden the appeal of the many charming parks we’re lucky to have in Newcastle, and with developments like this I hope more and more people can enjoy them right across the city.”

Charles Johnston, Property Director at Sport England: “We’re pleased that our investment in the Interactive Football Wall supports the wider investment into City Stadium Park and promotes activity across all age ranges.

“We’re delighted to see an important green space in Newcastle benefitting from this exciting new facility which uses interactive games to provide accessible opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to have fun and get active.”

The upgrade to City Stadium Park’s play equipment is part of the ongoing investment into playgrounds across the city, giving local communities more to enjoy in their local parks. 

Free sports and play equipment - including playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts - can be found in many of Newcastle’s parks. For information on all the facilities on offer, visit www.urbangreennewcastle.org.

Volunteer-led Newcastle parkrun also organise free park runs in Exhibition Park, Leazes Park and Jesmond Dene every Saturday morning at 9am. It’s free to join but people must register before their first run on the Parkrun website.