Climbing boulders, rope nets, and a tree house could be installed at Roker Park if the proposals are granted funding later this year.

The plans also involve building water features, climbing frames and nature trails on part of the site.

Sunderland City Council hopes the play area, which includes themed sections such as Smugglers' Cove, Stinky Swamp and Goldrush Creek, will encourage children to stay active and explore their natural environment.

The Friends of Roker Park, which is working in partnership with the local authority, has been successful in the first stage of funding, with a final decision from the Lottery Playful Ideas scheme expected in September.

The programme supports projects that focus on innovation and new ways of providing for children's play.

Projects seeking funding from this programme must display a creative and novel approach to addressing an identified need within the field of children's play.

Developers are looking in the region of a £200,000 capital investment with £50,000 revenue support.

A spokesman for Sunderland Council said: "We are in the second phase of consultation which is being undertaken in partnership with the Friends of Roker Park.

"This involves return visits to schools, letters with proposed designs to residents, memo to all north area ward members. An update report has also been prepared for North Area Committee and we will be contacting the local police.

"Information has also been posted on the park noticeboards. At the end of this period of consultation, we will review the outcome and amend designs as appropriate."

A registered historic park and garden, Roker Park was opened in the 19th century and is the centrepiece of the local conservation area.

The Victorian park, built within the Roker Gill ravine, has largely retained its original layout. However, according to a recent assessment, some of its original character has been gradually eroded and many of its best loved features are in poor condition or lost altogether.