As schools all over the area welcomed back their pupils this week and the summer holidays are officially over, we have started work on two major new playground refurbishment projects.
At the beginning of the summer, Councillors and Council officers met with local children and their parents/carers in Worthing and Shoreham to ask what they would like in their new playgrounds and were shown brochures of what might be available.
Now, just a few months later, and taking on board the children's wishes, work begins on both playgrounds.
Dominion Road, Worthing (also known as 'Kitty's Field' - after a horse that used to graze there) is to be fully revamped, with 11 new pieces of play equipment. The cost is £50,000 and the new playground is due to be finished by 9th October 2015.
Councillor Clive Roberts (Conservative, Worthing) says:
“Kitties Field is a much loved, well used play facility in Worthing. It deserves refurbishment and refreshment, and the very modern play equipment planned will bring lots of pleasure to local families.”
“We are committed to providing its residents with well managed and appealing outdoor spaces. The wide ranging schedule of investment and play area refurbishments planned across the Borough is an exciting long term project that will benefit all, young and old. Our children deserve the best play spaces we can provide and hopefully these new facilities will help further encourage many of them to play with friends, get onto swings, turn off their computer screens and get out into the fresh air.”
Buckingham Park in Shoreham-by-Sea is due to benefit from over £30,000 of investment in brand new play equipment.
Councillor Keith Dollemore (Conservative, Adur) adds:
“We spent a lot of time listening to what the children and parents/carers, who use Buckingham Park on a regular basis, wanted and I am proud to say, we have been able to deliver that just a few months later.”
“Although a busy and vibrant play area, the equipment was old and rather tired, so it is heartening to see this small but important project go full steam ahead. These two projects perfectly illustrate our commitment to encouraging healthy active lifestyles for our residents, of all ages.”