A Norwich park is set for a pioneering �160,000 transformation which will see it turned into the city's first eco-park.

St Clements Park in Woodcock Road is set to get new equipment using natural materials, including a children's climber, a sand pit, boulders and embankment slides.

The park will also feature sensory planting – the use of grass, flowers and trees that are colourful and inviting to touch and smell – especially for less able children and adults to enjoy.

Officers at Norwich City Council worked with children from Sewell Park College and Catton Primary School to draw up their vision for the revamp of the Catton park, with some creating Blue Peter-style models to show off their hopes.

The aim is for the park to offer an alternative way of play for youngsters by offering something different to the usual boisterous active play parks usually focus on.

Money for the facelift will come from �100,000 from the Big Lottery Children's Play Programme with a further �60,000 from developers' Section 106 contributions.

Work is due to start on Monday and much of the park will remain open while it is carried out.

However, the entrance on Woodcock Road will be closed and parts of the park will be fenced off while work is carried out.

Contractor CGM Landscapes will only work Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm – and on Saturdays only under exceptional circumstances.

The city council says it expects the vast majority of the work to be completed by March 2011 – in time for the spring growing season, although planting will carry on throughout 2011.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, city council cabinet member for neighbourhoods – north and east, said: 'We would like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved in this consultation and are confident local people will enjoy using this fantastic new recreation area for many generations to come.

'St Clements will lead the way for the development of other parks in Norwich.'