Play area refurbishments in Bognor Regis
Arun District Council is preparing to refurbish the play areas at Hotham Park, West Park and Hampshire Avenue.
Public consultations took place at all three sites to find out what local users would like to see included in the play areas.
Hotham Park will be refurbished on a like-for-like basis to include replacement of the most popular items, such as the large climbing frame with slide, the inclusive roundabout and the multi see-saw. The play area will continue to provide a range of play equipment designed for children with disabilities.
The design reflects the heritage of the park and aims to update the play area to provide an impressive playground for a range of ages and abilities. In addition, improvements will be made to the safety surfacing to ensure the play area can be used all year round.
The refurbishment at West Park will offer a woodland-themed play area with a wider range of equipment for children up to the age of 14. The most popular play equipment choices were for a junior climbing unit with a large slide and an inclusive roundabout.
At Hampshire Avenue the work will include toddler and junior climbing units, an informal kick-about area and outdoor exercise equipment. Improvements to the wider recreation ground are planned for later in the year, including seating areas and tree planting.
The play areas have been designed to be inclusive and be accessible for wheelchair-users and pushchairs, and to provide equipment designed for children of all capabilities.
Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “It is exciting to see that these play areas are to be updated across the district. The new designs will create exceptional play areas for all ages and abilities to enjoy. We hope that the upgraded play areas will continue to attract large numbers of visitors to our parks for many years to come.”
The refurbishments are due to start this spring so that the play areas will be open by early summer.
The Council would like to thank Hotham Park Heritage Trust and Aldwick Parish Council for their contributions to the projects at Hotham Park and West Park. The improvements at Hampshire Avenue are funded by the Section 106 contribution from the development of Bognor Regis Community College on Westloats Lane.