Ripon’s Quarry Moor play area to be upgraded for summer
by
Mar 1, 2021
The Quarry Moor Park in Ripon, which the city council says has a "worse than ever" rat problem.
Ready for replacement: the play area at Quarry Moor Park.

One of Ripon’s favourite play areas is to be refurbished in time for summer.

New equipment will be installed in Quarry Moor park, funded by the 2021-2022 parish precept.

The park, just off the A61 on the southern approach to Ripon, was donated to the city in 1945 by Alderman Thomas Fowler Spence.

It currently includes an activities centre for children as well as outdoor play equipment.

Ripon City Council leader, councillor Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:

“The play equipment, that adds to the park’s attraction for families with young children, has been in need of replacement for some time.

“With the prospect of the covid lockdown being lifted later this year, we want to ensure that the work is completed in readiness for the summer months.”

The land, which includes woodland walks, was left in trust by the former mayor on the understanding that it would be:

“Kept for Ripon children for all time.”

The 24-acre site was a limestone quarry for hundreds of years until the 1950s. It was also used for military training during the Second World War.

In 1986, after extensive conservation work by volunteers, it was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Photo of the Quarry Moor Activities Centre

Quarry Moor Activities Centre

The area includes species-rich calcareous grassland and a protected wildflower meadow.

A woodland path was added in 2019.

Ripon prides itself on being child-friendly and for many years the city council has supported free family events.

These include the St Wilfrid’s Day procession in August, the switch-on of Christmas lights and New Year’s Eve entertainment on Market Square.


Read more:


The coronavirus crisis and social distancing requirements, in place since last March, caused the cancellation of mass participation activities.

For the upcoming financial year, £100,000 is being allocated for public events from summer onwards.

It is hoped that covid will be under sufficient control to allow them to go ahead.

Ripon’s parish precept for 2021-2022 will generate £400,000. Council taxpayers in the city will pay £70 towards it, in addition to council tax paid to North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.