Work begins on new play area at Hunter Avenue

Work on the new play area and outdoor gym at Hunters Avenue, South Willesborough has begun.

The fantastic new play area will include a fenced area for younger children to play, with a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant roundabout and a high backed swing chair. Children will also be able to enjoy a 25m long zip wire, a larger junior multiplay unit, double width mound slide, swinging area and mini football goals for an informal kick about.

New seating and picnic tables will be installed to provide a communal space, accessible for all, to enjoy the outdoors. Additionally there will be a brand new outdoor gym area to improve free access to health and wellbeing activities for the local community.

Once the new play area is installed Aspire Landscape Management will block out areas for meadow grass to grow, to encourage and improve biodiversity in the area.

A preview of how the new space will look once work is completed

The council used the results from a consultation with residents when the previous park was taken down in February 2020 to put together a design specification.

Working with Wicksteed Playgrounds, accessibility and inclusive play were very important aspects, with the plan laid out to ensure all weather access and play equipment for all abilities and age groups. This allows children to play together or find a quiet spot if needed.

The work is due to start week commencing 24 January 2022, with plans to be open in spring 2022.

Due to the pandemic this project was put on hold however in 2021, the council put together the funding from a combination of government COVID-19 funding from Kent County Council (£134,000) and Housing revenue funding (£46,000).

Cllr Matthew Forest, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said "The new play equipment and gym facility will provide an exciting outdoor experience, and the accessible equipment ensures the fun will be available to even more people.

Hunter Avenue, combined with our recent investment announcement in another three key play areas, means thousands more residents will have access to high-quality, accessible, outside recreation. These installations contribute to fitness & wellbeing and provide space for communities to mingle and friends & family to spend quality time together."

Ashford Borough Council is committed to providing local communities with high quality and accessible play and outdoor gym facilities and have been supporting the refurbishment and maintenance of play areas using a mixture of funding resources.

Previous parks that have gone through refurbishment include Church Road, Sevington and St Anne’s Road, both completed in 2019, which created a safe place for much fun, exploration with all new play equipment and more inclusive for all age groups and disabilities.

Cabinet approved in September 2021 a £1.1m investment – The Play Regeneration Programme - in three key play areas in the borough – Rylands Park, Bybrook; Central Park, Bluebell Road, Park Farm; and Spearpoint Recreation Ground, Kennington, which will benefit over 4,600 households within walking distance of these play areas. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.