Fun for all at Longford Park

Nestled in the heart of our community, Longford Park is a vibrant hub of activity, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

It’s sprawling green spaces are perfect for picnics, games, or simply lounging in the sun. Lace up your boots and explore our range of walking trails or perhaps embark on an orienteering adventure.

Our park boasts a range of facilities to suit every interest and age group. Challenge your agility on our adventure playground, where slides, swings, zip line and climbing boulder await young adventurers, or test your skills on our disc golf course, basketball court or tennis courts.

For those seeking a moment of tranquility, our wildlife garden offers a peaceful retreat, complete with a serene pond and vibrant plant life. Sit back, relax, and watch as the wonders of nature unfold before your eyes.

And when hunger strikes, our cafe serves up delicious treats and refreshments, perfect for refueling after a day of exploration.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a sports enthusiast, or simply looking for a place to unwind, Longford Park has something to offer you. So come, explore, and discover the countless wonders that await in our beloved community green space.

The athletics on the eastern side of the park (entrance from Ryebank Road) is home to:

• Trafford Athletics Club https://www.traffordac.co.uk/
• Longfords Health and Fitness Club (gym/track/classes/personal training)http://www.longfordsgym.co.uk/
• Longfords Suite Function Room and Conference Facility available for hire – http://www.longfordssuite.co.uk/home
• Trafford Simply Cycling – All ability cycling for everybody open most Mondays (9.30-12), Fridays (9.30-12) and Sundays (1-3). Bikes/Tricycles/Tandems/Side by Sides/Recumbents available for all abilities, sizes and ages. Small entrance fee, just turn up. For more details and to check for temporary closures please view: http://www.simply-cycling.org/about-us/

Other groups who regularly use the stadium include:

• Learn to ride a bike for adults who have never ridden a bicycle or need to regain confidence. Check to see when the next session is available here https://tfgm.com/cycling
• Chorlton Runners For a complete list of events head over to http://www.chorltonrunners.com/
• Manchester Triathlon Club https://manchestertriathlonclub.org.uk/sessions/

The stadium is also the starting point for the weekly 5km park run. The run starts at 9.00am every Saturday morning. To register or get more information: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/stretford/

Nestled amidst the tranquil greenery of the park lies our beloved basketball court. Whether you’re a seasoned baller honing your skills or a newcomer taking your first shot, our court welcomes all.

There are two crown green bowling groups in the park Longford Ladies, and Longford Retired Gentlemens Club. Both groups run officially between Easter and September for bowling, although they do meet up socially over the winter months.

Both clubs are always on the look out for new members. If you a bowler looking for other people to play with, or have never played before and are interested in finding out more about the game come down and drop in.

Longford Ladies: Tuesdays 1.15 4pm

Longford Retired Gentlemen’s Club: Monday to Friday 1-4pm

Set up in 2010 by a sub group of the Friends of Longford Park, the community allotment surrounds the bowling green. It is a beautiful area, full of vegetables, soft fruit, a developing orchard, espaliered fruit trees and a herb wheel. For more information please click on the link below.

Step into the thrill of disc golf at Longford Park, where every throw brings a new challenge and every hole promises excitement.

Disc golf is an exhilarating sport that combines the precision of golf with the fun and accessibility of throwing Frisbees discs. Players use specialised discs to navigate the course made up of 18 designated targets (metal baskets). Similar to traditional golf, the objective of disc golf is to complete each hole in as few throws as possible. Golfers tee off from a designated area and aim to land their disc in the basket, using a combination of distance, accuracy, and strategy.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or trying your hand at disc golf for the first time, our course welcomes you to test your accuracy, strategy, and finesse. Disc golf is also a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, stay active and is accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

So grab a few discs available to rent at the Cafe with some friends and come experience the thrill and sheer addictiveness of disc golf.

Please be mindful of other park users and other players before throwing!

Located at the northern end of the park, near the Quadrant, the Firswood Community Centre is home to a number of groups and classes. It is also available for hire. For more information call Mary 0161 879 4460.

Groups that regularly use the centre include:

• Yoga classes with Fiona – Monday evenings: call 07967 797 319, Email [email protected]
• TaiChi – Wednesday, classes and private lessons available. Call John 0161 860 411
• Longford Community Choir – Friday evenings 6-8pm. Call Janice 07758036557.
• Bumps and Bashes Baby and children first aid classes for parents. Call Kate 07966 315 699, Email:  bumpsandbashes.com
• Classical Pilates – Wednesday, Mixed ability 6.15-7.15pm, Intermediate/advanced 7.30-8.30pm. Call Danielle 07511 354 745
• G-Camp Boxing – Tuesday and Thursdays. Call Mike 07957 267 662
• Senior Citizens Art Class – Fridays, all welcome. Call Sylvia 0161 718 7905
• Mary Woods School of Dance – Saturday mornings 3+ to young adult. Call 0161 879 4460, Email: marywoodschoolofdance.co.uk
• Daisy Birthing Active Antenatal Classes – Call Tara 07939 416 686
• 1^st Firswood Girl Guides/Brownies/Rainbows – Tuesday evenings. Call Adele 07732 442 530
• Firswood Tuition Centre. Call Haseeb on 07557402556 or Email: [email protected] 

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a weekend warrior, come experience the thrill of the game in our vibrant community spaces. Lace up your boots, gather your team, and let the games begin! There is a junior football area opposite the Longford cafe too.
Please note that goal posts are periodically taken down for grass recovery and reseeding.

Nestled amidst the tranquillity of the park, Longford cafe stands as a beacon of culinary delight, offering an oasis of taste amidst nature’s splendour. Pair your coffee with some freshly baked cake or perhaps a small dish from their menu. As you dine al fresco surrounded by the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds, you’ll find that time slows down and worries melt away.

The Longford Park Education Pack has been designed to help school groups make full use of the park.

Here you can find a wide range of lesson plans and activities that your children can enjoy in Longford Park!

Lesson plans are suitable for use with the National Curriculum Key Stages 1 -3.

Embark on a journey of discovery as you wander our park’s inviting circular walking routes. Each path promises a scenic adventure that are just over a mile long and are on footpaths accessible to all including wheelchair users and pushchairs. Whether you’re seeking a brisk morning stroll or a leisurely afternoon meander, our circular routes offer something for every walker.

In addition to our suggested circular walks there is also a Tree Trail that takes you on a treasure trail of some of Longford Park’s most notable trees. It’s fun for kids too as there is a corresponding hidden Fairy door for each tree listed.

If you would like to walk with great company, there is an organised Health Walk Group that meet up every last Sunday of the month 10:30am at the main entrance gate on Edge Lane.

So lace up your shoes, embrace the rhythm of the trails, and let the beauty of our park unfold around you with each captivating loop.

Younger Children’s Playground

Suitable for ages up to 8.

Designed with our littlest adventurers in mind, our playground is a haven for those under 8, where every slide, swing, and climbing frame is tailored to spark joy and curiosity. Here, tiny explorers can embark on grand adventures, scaling netted climbing frames, experience spring riders, roundabouts, tube slides and soaring high on gentle swings. When you need a break, you can enjoy a coffee or refreshment at the adjacent Longford Cafe or indulge in creamy, whipped ice cream and refreshing ice lollies, all conveniently served from the regularly attended ice cream van.

Older Children’s Playground

Suitable for ages 8 – 14

Longford Park also has a playground designed especially for the older adventurers, where thrills and challenges await at every turn. Our playground for over 8s is a dynamic realm of excitement, featuring more advanced climbing nets, disc roundabout, daring zip lines and other playground features that are designed to test agility, strength, and courage. This adventure playground also includes a Bendcrete Boulder that offers a thrilling and safe environment for children to hone their climbing skills and unleash their adventurous spirit. The summit awaits!

Suitable for ages 8+

Situated in the older children’s adventure playground, the Bendcrete Boulder allows young climbers to reach new heights and conquer challenges with every ascent. Rising like a majestic rock formation amidst the playground landscape, our boulder offers a thrilling and safe environment for children to hone their climbing skills and unleash their adventurous spirit. With its textured surface and variety of handholds and footholds, the boulder provides endless opportunities to build confidence, improve coordination, and experience the exhilaration of achievement. Test your limits, rise to the challenge and come enjoy some bouldering excitement.

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of Longford Park? Prepare to embark on an adventure, where exploration knows no bounds, and the thrill of the unknown becomes your greatest ally. Welcome to the enthralling world of orienteering, where every step brings you closer to uncovering the hidden wonders of the great outdoors.

Orienteering involves walking or running a set route through the park using a specially drawn, coloured map with considerable detail and information. The route is defined on the ground by ‘control markers’, each with a unique identification code that participants must find.

The three courses within Longford Park offers a unique and rewarding outdoor experience that combines physical activity with mental agility comprising of navigation, exploration, and problem-solving. Maps available at Cafe and online PDF. Click below for more information.

Nestled within the heart of our community park lies a sanctuary like no other, where the gentle rustle of leaves is accompanied by the contented clucking of chickens, the playful bleats of goats, and the soft quacks of ducks. Welcome to our small volunteer-run animal sanctuary, where furry, feathered, and hoofed friends find refuge and love.

Pets’ Corner is a volunteer run animal sanctuary in Longford Park, Stretford. It aims to provide an environment in which visitors can enjoy seeing their animals but is not a petting zoo. Whilst many visitors would like the opportunity to physically interact with them the animals are not used to being handled unnecessarily and would find it far too stressful.

Beyond providing a safe haven for animals, our sanctuary serves as an educational hub, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about animal care, conservation, and the importance of respecting and protecting all living beings.

Whether you’re seeking a moment of peace amid nature’s beauty or a chance to reconnect with the simpler joys of life, our sanctuary offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Come meet our furry, feathered, and hoofed residents, and discover the beauty and wonder of life at our sanctuary in the park.

Please note that this project is entirely dependent on contributions from the general public.

The toilets and changing facility are located inside the Cafe building and are open to the public. Toilets are available during normal Cafe opening times.

Disabled Toilet

The building also houses a specialist accessible disabled toilet and changing facility for children and adults with disabilities. This is one of only two such units in Trafford, making the park accessible to parents and carers, meaning they can spend longer hours outside of the home and enjoy their day in the park.

Located next to the Firswood Community Centre, the Beacon Centre is home to:

• Church of God Prophecy – Contact Jackie on 0161 222 6369, [email protected]
• Nu Yu- Counselling and Family Support Services – Contact Maurcia Mitchell on 0161 209 9559/ 07908 522 523
• Better Body Challenge – Tuesdays 7.30-9.15pm Contact 07415 248 365, [email protected]

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Longford Park, our six tennis courts offer a haven for tennis enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned player honing your backhand or a newcomer eager to learn the ropes, our courts provide the perfect backdrop for thrilling matches and friendly rallies.

It’s a place where competition meets camaraderie, where victories are celebrated and defeats are shrugged off with a smile. And with the sun shining overhead and the fresh air invigorating your spirit, every match becomes a memorable experience.

So grab your racket, lace up your shoes, and join us on the courts. See link below for information about pre-booking a court.

Step into a world of wonder as you explore our magical tree trail in the heart of the Longford Park. Meander along winding pathways shaded by towering trees, and keep your eyes peeled for the enchanting fairy doors hidden along the way. Each intricately crafted door is a portal to imagination, inviting visitors of all ages to embark on a whimsical adventure through the park.

With the help of our Tree Trail Map, visitors of all ages can embark on an educational adventure, learning to identify 18 different tree species that call our park home. Whether you’re young or young at heart, our tree trail promises moments of joy, discovery, and enchantment at every turn.

So come, let your imagination take flight, and uncover the secrets that await along our enchanted tree trail.

From Fluttering Wings to Whispering Leaves: Welcome to Our Wildlife Paradise

Step into a world of wonder at our park’s wildlife garden, where nature’s beauty is on full display around every corner. Here, native plants flourish, providing essential habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Listen to the cheerful chirping of birds, marvel at the delicate dance of butterflies, and breathe in the fragrant scents of wildflowers. Our wildlife garden is more than just a place of beauty – it’s a thriving ecosystem where every creature plays a vital role.

Take a seat under the canopy of the resident fig tree and soak up the sights and sounds of nature. You may notice that nestled within the lush greenery lies a tranquil pond. But the pond is more than just a picturesque backdrop – it’s a vital source of life for the garden’s inhabitants.

So come, immerse yourself in the beauty of this natural sanctuary and discover the magic of nature right in the heart of our community.

If you need to take your car to visit Longford Park, the easiest option is the free Main Car Park on the Eastern side of the park next to the Athletics Stadium. Follow your sat nav to Longford Park Stadium, Ryebank Road, Manchester M21 9TA.

There is a second smaller car park inside the park near the disc golf course for people with mobility issues. We kindly ask you to respect the new parking restrictions within Longford Park.