Nearly £90,000 has been invested to replace worn out playground equipment in parks across the area, with more works scheduled to take place in the coming months.
Sites at Grovewood Road in Haydon, Radstock, Greenacres and Staddlestones in Midsomer Norton and Royal Victoria Park in Bath have all seen new equipment installed in time from the Christmas holidays.
The works include:
- A new steel multi-unit to challenge older children and a spinner to add variety of movement has been added to the Grovewood Road area of Haydon, Radstock at a cost of £20,000.
- In Greenacres, Midsomer Norton, the old ball games unit has been replaced with a new basketball hoop and football goal that lines up with the existing football goal end which cost £11,000.
- In Staddlestones, Midsomer Norton, the toddler play area has been replaced with a new multi-play centre offering activities to develop co-ordination and story making. This cost £24,000.
- In Bath’s Royal Victoria Park, the old aerial space net has been replaced with a space dome offering climbing challenges for children aged over five as well as aboveground places for children to socialise and create games. This complements other recent refurbishments to the adjacent ‘bark pit’ and cost £24,000.
Councillor Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “These new pieces of play equipment are a welcome addition to a number of parks and play areas across the district. They have replaced equipment that had become tired and reached the end of its life.
“We know that fresh air and exercise can help improve both physical and mental health. By installing new and creative play equipment we hope it will encourage people to get outside and use our great parks and play areas.
“Whilst the Council is working hard to meet a significant financial challenge, we will continue to prioritise investment in maintaining and improving important community facilities such as children’s play areas.”
Further planned works in the current financial year include replacing the climbing unit at Beacon Hill in Bath, a new play panel at Kilmersdon, new log stockade edging of the toddler’s sand pit in Royal Victoria Park, Bath, and topping up sand at three city sites.
The play area in the St Saviour’s area of Bath will also be upgraded. These further works are expected to cost £64,000.
