Children across the Fylde will soon be able to enjoy safer, more accessible play areas thanks to a new scheme to repair and refurbish playgrounds.
A 2019 audit conducted by Fylde Council’s Parks and Coastal Services team found several of the more frequently used children’s play areas in Fylde would greatly benefit from remedial and replacement works to equipment and surfacing. A subsequent community group consultation helped to lay out specifications for what each of the sites would most benefit from, with particular attention paid to improving accessibility, and to ensuring that health and safety requirements are met.
Six sites have been identified as being most in need of rejuvenation:
- Waddington Road Park
- Promenade Gardens
- Mornington Park
- South Park
- Lansdowne Road Open Space
- King George V Playing Fields
Cllr Michael Sayward, Chair of the Leisure & Tourism Committee, said: “Every child should have access to a place they can play safely. These enhancements will ensure that these play areas can continue to be enjoyed for years to come.”
Fylde Council holds an operating budget to carry out minor repairs to play equipment and surfacing. This budget covers the replacement of worn parts such as bolts, panels, and seats, as well as small repairs to rubber safety surfacing, fencing and furniture. However, the Council does not hold a budget for the full replacement of failing or decommissioned play equipment or safety surfacing.
Following the tendering process, a contract has been awarded to Abacus Playgrounds Ltd to perform the work, with a funding budget of £100,00 included within the Capital Programme for 2021/2022. Last year £50,000 was spent on play area improvements, and a further £1000,000 has been allocated in the 2022/2023 financial year. The target completion date of the project is March 2022.
For more information about play areas and open spaces in Fylde, please see our website: Parks and Open Spaces (fylde.gov.uk)
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