Thousands of pounds worth of improvements are being proposed to play areas by the Council and residents will have a chance to have their say on the plans.
In total 12 different play areas in Bath and two outside the city are earmarked for improvements. It follows a series of improvements to play areas in Bath & North East Somerset last year.
There will be public information events with Council officials on hand to talk through the proposals with users. The rolling information programme starts on 12th August.
In total £365,000 has been set aside for the refurbishment work which will start in the next few months.
Cllr David Dixon (Lib Dem, Oldfield), Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council continues to invest in young people and families.
“From new forts and slides to improved safety surfacing these projects will provide stimulating play areas for children for many years to come.
“Through a series of public events people will also be able to feedback on the ideas at many of the sites to ensure we deliver what residents need.”
The areas marked for improvement are Firs Field, Hedgemead, Kelson’s Field, Lymore Gardens, Moorlands Rec, Mount Road, Pennyquick, Royal Victoria Park and Sandpits.
The proposals are:
- At Firs Field it’s proposed the Fun Buggy is replaced with a toddler multi-play unit and a new safety surface. People can see the plans from 1pm-4pm on Wednesday 13th August;
- At Hedgemead the multi-unit, the rotator and the see-saw will be replaced and new safer surfacing will be installed under the new kit. People can see the plans from 1pm-3pm Tuesday 19th August;
- At Kelson’s Field the cabin slide will be replaced with a toddler multi-play unit or other equipment for younger children along with a new surface. Suggestions include replacing the stressed arch swing with a two-bay cradle and flat swing. People can give their input from noon- 2pm on Thursday 14th August;
- At Lymore Gardens the multi-unit will be replaced with a new unit incorporating a new slide for children aged 4+ and a spring rocker for toddlers. The proposals can be viewed from 10am-1pm on Friday 15th August;
- At Mount Road the climbing unit will be replaced with a multi-play unit for children aged 4 – 12 and with a new safety surface. The proposals can be viewed from 1pm-3pm on Monday 18th August;
- At Pennyquick both the play areas for younger and older children will have some refurbishment. In the area for younger children the Fun Buggy and the Rocker Rabbit will be replaced with a new toddler multi-play unit and a new rocker. In the area for older children the see saw, the tank, the crow’s nest and a senior multi-play unit will be replaced with a variety of exciting and challenging play experiences for the 8 – 16 year age range. The proposals can be viewed from 1pm-4pm on Tuesday 12th August which is the Bath Area Play Project Play Day.
- At Royal Victoria Park the triple slide will be removed as it has reached the end of its life. It will be replaced with new play equipment utilising the hillside plus a new safer surface. The intended age range of the play equipment is 4 – 12 years. People can offer their ideas at an information event from 9.30am – 3.30pm on Thursday 14th August.
- At Sandpits there will be an overhaul of all the equipment with a new senior multi-play unit and a toddler multi-play unit, plus a new see saw and new springers for toddlers with new safer surfacing. Information will be available on site from 1pm-4pm on Wednesday 20th August.
If people wish to get more information about specific proposals but are unable to make the open events they can send messages to the Parks Play Team via Council Connect on 01225 394041 or [email protected].
Five further play areas in Bath are getting improvements but the equipment has already been purchased and work on installing it will start shortly. These are:
- Alexandra Park: multi use games area including basketball;
- Innox Park: new pathway;
- Newbridge: Fun Time Buggy unit to be replaced with a fort and new safer surfacing;
- Sydney Gardens: replacement see-saw;
- Moorlands Rec: New drains and surface cleaning;
- Sandpits: table tennis table, 3 picnic benches and junior goal posts.
In addition two sites outside of Bath will also get improvements. At Grovewood Road in Haydon the existing junior multi-unit, roundabout and see saw will be replaced with a new junior multi-play unit plus a low rotator and a see saw. At Staddlestones in Midsomer Norton the multi ball play unit will be replaced with a new one.
Cllr Dixon added: “We know how precious these play areas are to families and much of this equipment is well-loved. Some of it has a natural shelf-life and Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to make sure that our areas are safe as well as fun.
“We’d welcome feedback on the facilities we are proposing and look forward to a new generation of children having fun on our play areas.”