Council announce Fareham play area improvements
By Karen Miller
FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL have confirmed that improvement work is being undertaken at two play areas in the area alongside another due to start in December, which is part of a council programme and follows the thoughts of local residents / users.
Following a public consultation on the proposed improvements earlier this year, Abshot Road, King George V Recreation Ground and Stubbington Recreation Ground will feature designs that reflect local priorities and provide inclusive, accessible and engaging play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities.
Work has already begun at Abshot Road play area from last Thursday (October 15) and is expected to take approximately five weeks. Improvements will include an accessible swing with tango seat, a tile slide and balancing trail to encourage active play, sensory and educational play elements (including sign language & counting activities) and a bespoke farm shop play panel to support imaginative and social play. Interactive tarmac graphics will also be added to the site alongside new seating provision and improved circulation.
At King George V Recreation Ground, work was scheduled to start today (October 21) and is due to take approximately four weeks to complete. The upgraded play area will feature a group basket swing to provide an inclusive and social play experience, an inclusive seesaw designed to encourage cooperative play and a refresh of the existing toddler multi-play unit incorporating climbing, crawling, and sliding activities for younger children.
An interactive balance trail to develop balance, coordination, and confidence will also be added with an upper body activity station to support physical development and active play. There is also plans to include a low-level play puzzle providing educational and sensory play opportunities, a bespoke maze panel and wordsearch panel play features incorporating Fareham-themed elements to encourage problem-solving and imaginative play. Finally a selection of inclusive picnic tables will be added to improve accessibility and provide seating for families and carers.
The improvements at Stubbington Recreation Ground aren’t due to commence until December 14 and are expected to take approximately one week. Equipment will include an accessible swing with tango seat, an Inclusive springer and sensory / educational play elements including sign language and a bespoke compass. Bespoke butterfly play panels to support imaginative and social play are also going to be added, as well as interactive tarmac graphics and an inclusive seesaw.
The timescales of improvements for each play area are subject to weather, ground conditions and unforeseen circumstances. The works will be delivered by HAGS, a leading playground designer and manufacturer with extensive experience in delivering high-quality and inclusive play environments. The scheme makes use of the existing playgrounds’ footprints, minimising the requirement for extensive groundworks and reducing disruption to the surrounding area.
Executive Member for Leisure & Community, Councillor Frair Burgess, said: “These improvements demonstrate the Council’s ongoing commitment to investing in high-quality play facilities for local families. The new equipment has been carefully chosen to provide a wide range of play opportunities, from active and imaginative play through to sensory and educational experiences. I look forward to seeing families enjoy these enhanced facilities for many years to come.”
Play area improvements is a key project set out in Priority Five of the Council’s Corporate Strategy: Leisure opportunities for wellbeing and fun. For more information about the play area improvement programme, readers can visit www.fareham.gov.uk/playareaimprovements.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL: A selection of photographs showing what Abshot Road will look like after improvement works are completed.
