Ponderosa
🏟 Playground & park · Upperthorpe, Sheffield
Ponderosa
A 10-hectare green open space near Sheffield's centre with an adventure playground, children's playground, football pitch and outdoor gym.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open space, accessible year-round. · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
Address: Upperthorpe, Sheffield (between Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe), S6 3NA
Plus Code: 9C5W9GP7+MC
About Ponderosa
The Ponderosa is a green open space of over 25 acres (about 10 hectares) around 0.9 miles west of Sheffield city centre, lying between the districts of Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe. Its unusual name took hold in the 1960s when local children, inspired by the TV western Bonanza, nicknamed the area 'The Ponderosa', and the name stuck — it is now the accepted title and is recognised by the council. The space was designated as Open Space by Sheffield City Council in its 1993 Unitary Development Plan and is managed by the council in collaboration with community groups such as the Ponderosa Environmental Group. For families, the upper part of the site contains an adventure playground alongside a mini football pitch, while the lower area has a children's playground among several wooded copses. There is also an outdoor gym and a community orchard planted with apple and plum trees. Expansive lawns and playing fields make the Ponderosa popular with locals for football, jogging and dog walking, and it hosts community events including the Peace in the Park festival. As one of the Crookesmoor Parks, it is a free, well-used green space close to the heart of the city.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Mini football pitch
- Outdoor gym
- Community orchard (apple and plum trees)
- Wooded copses
- Open lawns and playing fields
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Dogs: True
🧒 Ages & play
- Adventure playground
- Children's playground
- Play equipment
📍 Nearby places to play
- Crookes Valley Park · approx 0.2 miles · Crookesmoor
- Pound's Park · approx 0.8 miles · City Centre
- Bolehill Recreation Ground · approx 1.0 miles · Crookes
Explore more:
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is the Ponderosa free?
Yes. It is a free, public green open space designated by Sheffield City Council.
What play facilities are there?
An adventure playground and mini football pitch in the upper area, and a children's playground in the lower area.
Where is it?
About 0.9 miles west of Sheffield city centre, between Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes. The Ponderosa is popular with locals for dog walking as well as football and jogging.
What else is there?
An outdoor gym, a community orchard with apple and plum trees, wooded copses and open playing fields.