Less than a mile north of Sheffield city centre lies a vast area of open land, almost as big as the city centre itself. Yet few people know of Parkwood Springs, its secret places and its enormous potential as a country park in the city.
You might know it as the site of the dry ski slope. From the top of the hill on which many people learn to ski, there are views across the city into the Peak District National Park. At the base of the hill flows the River Don, and just above it runs a railway line, now used just once a week. The line cuts through the neglected and atmospheric Wardsend Cemetery (see p.2). Nearby are ancient woodlands, heathlands, and sites of special scientific interest of national importance.
Its centre is currently occupied by a landfill site. After ten years this site will be covered over so that it blends in with the rest of Parkwood and most of it will be opened to public access. But the rest of the area is open for you to use now.