Work to improve play parks across the district has begun

The improvements are being made as part of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s commitment to modernise, develop and extend a number of the district’s play park areas and equipment during 2023.

The plans to replace aging equipment for new, imaginative pieces of play equipment and include inclusive play equipment for all ability users where possible to do so were approved earlier this year.

The funding at Bridge Community Centre Park is going towards refurbishing the current equipment, and the removal and replacement of various aging equipment. The new equipment will include swing sets and a wheelchair carousel.

Ten parks will undergo improvements over the next two months, including Vicar Water Country Park, Mead Way Play Park in Balderton, Lincoln Road Recreation Ground Play Area in Newark, Thorpe Oaks Play Area in Coddington, Hillcote Drive in Clipstone, Old Tannery Drive in Lowdham, Grove Street Play Area in Newark, Cleveland Square in Newark, Turner Lane in Boughton and Sconce and Devon Park.

Developments for the Green Flag Award winning Sconce and Devon Park include a new Castle-themed play area park to tie in with the town’s Civil War history. Additional plans for Sconce and Devon Park include the development of a fantastic new outdoor fitness area which will be free for all visitors to use. The developments will build upon the park’s existing popularity as a site for fitness and wellbeing activities, such as walking, park runs, or small personal training classes.

Plans for the Sconce and Devon Park developments were shared with residents during a public consultation, which allowed residents to chat through plans with officers from the District Council and give the Council an opportunity to hear their thoughts about these proposals in order to shape the plans to best improve the local area with the residents at the heart of its decision.

Councillor Emma Oldham, Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity and Environmental Services at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We know how important outdoor spaces are to residents, and that play parks in our district are vital spaces for children and their parents and carers to get out in the open and have fun. These plans are not just an investment into our parks and green spaces, but an investment into the health and wellbeing of our community.

“I can’t wait to see all ten sites completed and benefiting the community as social hubs, busy with play, exercise and enjoyment.”

The developments will also support the District Council’s ambition to be greener, with materials for the projects being sourced from recycled goods. Materials such as used textiles, food packaging waste, and used plastic bags, for example, will be used in the improvements. This sustainable sourcing of materials was successfully implemented for the recent development of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden, in which a number of features were built using recycled materials including new bin stores and bug hotels made from fly-tipped wood that had been cleared from illegally dumped waste around the district.

The District Council is committed to developing an ongoing cycle of investment into their local play parks and it is hoping that the improvements to their play parks could also help to improve similar sites in the district.

Results from the latest resident survey showed residents placing more importance on local parks and green spaces during recent times, and these investments will further the work the District Council have committed to within its Community Plan, including enhancing the district’s natural environment to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.

Watch this video to find out more about the play park improvements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXCUF2CMHP4

To find out more about the District Council’s Community Plan visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/councilpriorities/.