Play area revamps to be considered in Worcester

 

 

More than £300,000-worth of improvements to play areas in Worcester are set to be considered by councillors.

 

New fencing around the Splashpad, improvements to the play area at Cripplegate Park and a new basketball practice area are among the improvements to be considered by the City Council’s Environment Committee on January 28.

 

The improvements, repairs and maintenance are included in a proposed three-year programme, with a budget of £109,000 each year.

 

Councillor Andy Stafford, Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, said: “Play areas are valued by families across Worcester and they’re an essential part of ensuring we have an active and healthy city. I will be encouraging the committee to support these proposals.”

 

The proposed work in 2020/21 includes putting fencing around the popular Spashpad in Gheluvelt Park in order to stop bikes, skaters and dogs being able to get onto it when it is closed. This would help keep the Splashpad clean, reduce the potential for the water being contaminated or the surface being damaged, maintain health and safety standards and reduce the frequency of repairs.

 

The proposed basketball practice area would replace one at Gheluvelt Park, which is due to be removed as part of work to create new tennis courts there. The proposed new basketball area would be at either Gheluvelt Park or Pitchcroft.

 

Other proposed work in 2020/21 includes a new access gate to the Cripplegate Park play area and repairs to its tarmac surface, and the start of an on-going programme of repairs to wet pour surfacing at 36 play areas across the city. If approved, the old play area at Tunnel Hill – where equipment was removed some years ago – will be restored as a green open space.

 

Under the proposed three-year plan the work in 2021/22 would include a refurbishment of play equipment at Grasshopper Avenue in St Peter’s, a new swing and multi-play unit at Old Tolladine Road and a range of new small play units at Field Walk in Battenhall.

 

The proposals for 2022/23 include the refurbishment of play areas at Aldersley Close in St Peter’s, Bodium Close in Warndon Villages and in Gheluvelt Park. New outdoor gym equipment is also mooted for Brickfields Park in Rainbow Hill.

 

The committee report notes that improvement and repair work is also due to be completed before March this year at play areas in Howard Road, Debdale Avenue, Bodium Close, Bishops Avenue and Cornmeadow Lane.

 

The Environment Committee meets at 7pm on January 28.