“Parish Council works with local accessible play area charities and school pupils to update the fifth play area within three years to incorporate accessible play”.
As aligned within the Council’s Community Led Plan and aim to make play areas accessible for all, the Parish Council allocated £70,000.00 from earmarked reserves during budget setting for 2023/2024 for the refurbishment and enhancement of a local play area Trent Road Play Area, in Greenmeadow, Haydon Wick. The Parish Council sets aside budget for refurbishing the play areas on an annual basis as it has 23 play areas to maintain to a high standard for the community to enjoy. Last year saw the enhancements of Luna Close Play Area in Oakhurst and Gaynor Close Play Area in Abbey Meads being fitted with accessible play area equipment and interactive sensory panels and the wet pour safety resurfacing of Voyager Drive Play Area.
The specification for Trent Road Play Areas was to tailor the needs of children with various disabilities including the provision of a basket swing, an accessible roundabout and numerous play panels. As much of the equipment at Trent Road Play Area is in repairable and reasonable condition, the play area was set to receive an enhancement instead of a full refurbishment and therefore the specification was for a few new pieces of equipment and a cosmetic enhancement. Benjamin’s Smile Charity, Mums on a Mission Charity and Greenmeadow Primary School tasked with reviewing the tender bids received from various play area companies and coming up with a list of which items they would like to be included within the Trent Road Play Area during a school lesson on disabilities and how small adjustments to every day life can make a huge difference to those with disabilities and their families. Greenmeadow Primary School is considering fundraising to sponsor a piece of equipment in the autumn term and sponsorship raised will be match funded by the Parish Council and used towards the unit.
The Parish Council is passionate about eventually making all 23 play areas in which it is responsible for, accessible for all children of varying ages and disabilities. The refurbishment of five of these within the last three years is significant progress.
Four tender bids were received from different companies and scrutinized by the Play Area Working Party and the winning bid was submitted to the Full Council for approval.
Benjamin’s Smile, Mums on a Mission and Greenmeadow Primary School were very impressed with the designs for Trent Road Play Area, and everyone collectively agreed an overarching winner.
Wicksteed won the tender, for its innovative designs, utilising the budget and giving maximum play value within the space due for enhancement and the provision of several accessible friendly panels. The working party, Committee, Councillors and Officers agreed that the design was very eye catching, easy to maintain and that the design captured over and above what the original wish list was for a very competitive price. The Parish Council will be protecting the new assets with the provision of CCTV to ensure that the equipment is looked after well for years to come and to ensure that individuals and families using the play areas feel safe.
Councillor Richard Hailstone, Chairman of the Parks & Open Spaces Committee said:
“I am really pleased to report that we have been able to refresh Trent Road Play Area this year and develop the site for the local grass roots football club, AFC Haydon Vale, which occupy the site frequently. I will look forward to seeing Trent Road Play Area open with its new look in a few weeks’ time. Thank you to the local charities for feeding back on the designs and for the pupils of Greenmeadow Primary School for giving the thumbs up on the current designs and giving us plenty of ideas for future play area developments. Wicksteed was the supplier of the current play area equipment, which has served purpose for the last 30 years with minimal repairs and maintenance, the current equipment will continue to be used and be repainted to match the freshness of the upcoming refurbishment. Our focus has been making sure there is something for everyone with refreshed equipment that can meet most accessibility requirements, so that these can be enjoyed generations to come. It is anticipated that the refurbishment will be completed by the late summer/early autumn and will be opened by pupils of Greenmeadow Primary School”.
Pupils of Greenmeadow Primary school gave some heartwarming comments which really does showcase the importance of accessible play:
“I could go on the roundabout with my sister who is in a wheelchair”.
“That seesaw design is brilliant if you aren’t able to move like me”.
“Some people are deaf and can’t hear like us so having sign language for us to learn is really cool”.
“I love how colourful the play area is”.
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