Play Areas

The Borough's Play Areas

There are currently 31 play areas across the Borough either attached to recreation grounds, or in other open spaces. Many of these have been upgraded or completely renewed in recent years to provide an exciting and safe range of play for children ranging from toddlers to young people.

Depending on the site, the equipment and facilities can include multi activity units with slides, bridges and tunnels; swings, spring toys, aerial runways, see saws, roundabouts, sand pits and paddling pools. Some sites are enhanced with floor graphics such as hopscotch and snake trails. Most play areas have a picnic table and benches.

Safety is, of course, a major consideration - all equipment is on wet safety surfacing and all except two areas are enclosed with dog proof fencing.

The equipment in all the play areas is maintained under contract by a specialist company, Recreational Supply Services, and all areas and equipment are subject to regular safety inspections by a team of qualified staff.

Look out for...

• The recently refurbished play area Molesey Hurst Recreation Ground, completed in February 2011.
• The new Playbuilder equipment funded by Play England at Elmgrove and Grovelands Recreation Grounds, completed in March 2011.
• The new play equipment at George Froude, Walton on Thames and Littleheath Recreation Ground, Oxshott has been installed. These projects were funded by Big Lottery to improve play opportunities for children and young people.
• New Play Areas are also sometimes provided under planning agreements, examples in recent years include:-
• |Cricket Way
• |Brooklands Community Park

2011/12

Hurst Meadows, Summer Road and Thrupps Lane Play Areas

These play areas have been selected as in need of enhancement to increase play value and to extend the longevity of the areas. This is on the basis of need for replacement, whilst also taking account of usage. Improvements will be appropriate for each facility, such as certain new equipment, ground graphics, gates and seating.

Orders have now been confirmed with specialist play area companies following a quotation procedure involving specifications and an evaluation procedure.

It is intended to have works scheduled for commencement in early 2012 weather permitting, with a view to complete the various improvements before Easter 2012.

Hurst Meadows is due to commence 18 January 2012.

Summer Road is due to commence 23 January 2012

Thrupps Lane is due to commence 20 February 2012

Contact our |Parks Team.