New Wake Park gets go ahead as North Yorkshire Water Park in Wykeham re-opens for summer season

Planning permission has been granted to kick-start plans to create a new Wake Park and Café at North Yorkshire Water Park, at Wykeham Lakes near Scarborough.
Andrew Backhouse, manager at North Yorkshire Water Park, Callum Terrell, watersports manager at North Yorkshire Water Park, and David Steel, newly appointed chief executive of the Dawnay EstatesAndrew Backhouse, manager at North Yorkshire Water Park, Callum Terrell, watersports manager at North Yorkshire Water Park, and David Steel, newly appointed chief executive of the Dawnay Estates
Andrew Backhouse, manager at North Yorkshire Water Park, Callum Terrell, watersports manager at North Yorkshire Water Park, and David Steel, newly appointed chief executive of the Dawnay Estates

Offering a range of water and land-based sport and leisure activities for people of all ages and abilities, the Water Park aims to become a year round visitor destination creating 15 new full and part-time jobs.

Opening in spring 2021, the new Wake Park will be the first in North Yorkshire and a welcome addition to the Water Park, which opened three years ago with a range of family friendly water-based activities.

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North Yorkshire Water Park re-opened in June for the summer season with a limited range of activities including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, open water swimming and pedalos, which can be accessed while following social distancing guidelines. Day and annual permits are available to launch privately owned kayaks, stand up paddle boards and sailing dinghies. The inflatable AquaPark, is closed for this season and is planned to re-open next year.

Growing in popularity, wake boarding is similar to water-skiing, with wakeboarders riding on a short, wide board resembling a surfboard whilst being towed by a cable and pulley system. People new to the sport will be able to learn how to Wakeboard, while more experienced Wakeboarders will be able to challenge themselves and improve their jumps and tricks.

The new permanent café, sympathetically designed to fit in and enhance the local environment will overlook the leisure lake and create a unique space for events, business meetings, private parties and for locals and visitors to meet, relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Andrew Backhouse, manager of North Yorkshire Water Park, said: “We’re thrilled that our plans have been given the go ahead. Our range of water sports activities and open water swimming have been very popular since we reopened this season and we look forward to next year when we will have the Wake Park, inflatable AquaPark and new larger café up and running.”

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David Steel, newly appointed chief executive of the Dawnay Estates said: “This year has been challenging for everyone in the tourism and leisure sector, however we are very pleased with the support we have received since our re-opening as people enjoy the lake activities, woodland walks, fishing and the scenery. We are delighted our plans have been approved so we can start planning ahead for next year and building for the future!”

Janet Deacon, tourism and corporate marketing manager at Scarborough Borough Council commented: “It’s great to see North Yorkshire Water Park expanding into an all-year round visitor destination with the first Wake Park in North Yorkshire! When the Wake Park opens next year, it will bring a fantastic boost to the local economy giving locals and holiday makers a beautiful and fun place to enjoy the natural environment. We look forward to seeing the plans take shape.”

One of the largest expanses of water in North Yorkshire, the Water Park is part of The Dawnay Estates and covers an area in the region of 250 hectares. The Park also has a 2.5 km lakeside cycling, running and walking track around the lakes which provides access into woodland and beautiful scenic views across the lake.

The Water Park also has three extensive fishing lakes, catering for trout, carp, and pike anglers. They re-opened on 15 May in line with government guidelines.