On 25th November, the latest improvements to Northampton’s Becket’s Park will be officially unveiled. 

Two distinctive wooden sculptures, known as ‘clamber art’, have been installed opposite the under construction Becket’s Park Marina. Northampton’s newest and most interactive artworks are suitable for people to climb, play or sit on and have been created in partnership with the local community following a series of design workshops.

The curved sculptures are the latest step in the transformation of Becket’s Park and the wider waterside area. They are inspired by natural forms and have been made from 5 beech wood trunks by artist Joel Parkes. He held design sessions with local people during July and August, and also discussed the project with young people at Northampton’s Education and Youth Services Centre.

The project has been managed by Groundwork Northamptonshire and is funded by Marks & Spencer, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and Northampton Borough Council. It is one of 16 ‘Greener Living Spaces’ projects M&S is delivering in the UK with the environmental charity Groundwork UK.

Councillor Trini Crake, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment said: “Throughout the year thousands of people enjoy our town’s parks and green spaces. So this year we have been celebrating our town’s many wonderful parks and asking people to say ‘I love my park’.”
 
“Each park has its own character and over the last few years we have been working to transform Becket’s Park, bringing the riverside back into use and improving the park for residents and visitors. So I am delighted to see the positive work continuing with the addition of the new clamber art sculptures.”

Kamljit Chana, Regeneration Manager at West Northamptonshire Development Corporation said: “The new artwork is a great addition to the park and it’s particularly pleasing that local people played a part in the design. Multi million pound investment is being made in Northampton’s waterside, with the Becket’s Park Marina under construction and further improvements planned for the future.  These sculptures are just the latest in a series of enhancements to this area.”

As part of this project, a ‘Friends of Beckets Park’ group has been established and will continue represent the views of the community throughout the development of Beckets Park. Alison Phillips from Groundwork, who is working with the new group said:  “I’m really pleased that the project has remained on schedule and that the Clamber Art has finally been installed in Beckets Park. I hope that the Clamber Art inspires members of the community to come and have fun in the park, and that it leads to people getting involved in further improvements and events through the Friends of Beckets Park group.”

Related posts:

1. Artistic sculptures are child’s play in Becket’s Park
2. New marina planned for Beckets Park
3. Public get their say on Grange Park design codes
4. Local girl makes a splash at Northamptons new marina
5. Grange Park design code exhibited