An overhaul of 45 play parks rated as the worst in Newcastle has been given the green light.
City council bosses approved the first stage of a massive playgrounds renovation project on Monday night, with the £1.4m upgrades now due to take place over the next 18 months.
The first 45 locations to benefit from the scheme were chosen based on how dilapidated they currently are, the number of children in the area, levels of childhood obesity and deprivation, and how close they are to another play area, school or transport link.
The Swans Recreation Ground in Walkergate was deemed to be the most in need of a revamp, followed by the Normanton Terrace play area in the West End and the Leazes Park play area.
Newcastle City Council unveiled a wider £2m plan last year to improve 160 play parks across the city over the next three years.
The upgrades will mean new and improved play equipment for some sites, while others will be tidied and repaired. However, many locations are expected to have their play equipment removed completely and be transformed into "natural play space" instead.
A report to Monday night's cabinet meeting stated that the council's priority is to "bring those play spaces that are currently fenced off or not in full use back into public use".
It adds: "Removing play equipment from sites which offer limited play value may be unpopular with some residents, however the space will be retained as natural playable space."
The city's Liberal Democrat opposition raised concerns at the cabinet meeting that the parks investment might not be sustainable in the future.
However, council chiefs insisted that these improvements will not be a one-off.
Council leader Nick Forbes said: "This is not just about putting in equipment that will start to deteriorate. It has been thought through and there is a package of measures to ensure that these remain in place over the years."
Here is the full list of the first 45 parks to receive investment - and whether they will be improved with new equipment, maintained to their current level, reconfigured to provide alternative play space:
Swans Rec Ground Play Area - Maintained
Kingsley/Normanton Terrace Play Area - Alternative
Swans Rec Ground MUGA - Improve
Leazes Park Play Area - Improve
Rye Hill Play Area - Maintained
Edgeware Walk MUGA - Alternative
Kenton Bar / Mallowburn - Alternative
Denton Dene North - Maintained
Hawthorn Terrace Play Area - Alternative
Elswick Park AGP - Maintained
Armstrong Park MUGA - Improve
Aydon Walk / Apperley Play Area - Improve
Whitworh Close Play Area / Church Walk - Improve
Fawdon Park - Improve
Land to the rear of Vallum Road / St Oswalds Green MUGA - Improve
North Kenton Park Play Space - Maintained
Ladykirk Road MUGA - Alternative
St Anthony's Park / Harbottle Park Play Area - Improve
Cherrywood Play Area - Maintained
North Benwell Park / Farndale MUGA - Improve
Cornhill - Improve
Monday Crescent Basketball Courts / Todds Nook - Alternative
North View / Molineux Court MUGA - Maintained
West Avenue Rec Ground MUGA - Improve
West of Beech Hill School Trim Trail - Maintained
Britannia Place MUGA - Alternative
Hareydene Play Area - Alternative
Valley View - Improve
Dorcas Avenue / Sunnybank Avenue - Improve
North Benwell Park / Farndale Play Area - Improve
Newbiggin Lane / Eastgarth East Play Area - Improve
Appletree Gardens Play Area - Maintained
Tilmouth Park Road / Boomy Hill Play Area - Maintained
Kingston Park / Cowdray Court Play Area - Improve
Forge Walk / Wallbottle - Improve
West Avenue Rec Ground Children's Play Area - Alternative
Monkridge / Abbey Farm South Play Area - Improve
St Anne's Close - Alternative
Howard Street - Alternative
Gibson Street - Improve
Links Green - Maintained
Ouseburn Park / Chelmsford Grove Play Space - Improve
Kenton Crescent Play Area - Alternative
Celandine Close Play Area - Alternative
Little Benton Park / Victoria Glade Play Area - Alternative
