East Devon invests £325,000 on improving children’s play areas

Four play areas across East Devon are to be refurbished over the next few weeks as the district council spends a total of £325,000 on improving them.

Although play parks cannot be currently used due to the government’s Covid-19 restrictions, the council is taking the opportunity to replace some of the equipment so that the areas will be ready for children and young people to play when the time is right.

Work starts on Monday (8 June) on improvements at Seafield Gardens (Seaton), Meadway (Seaton) Cherry Close (Honiton) and Brixington (Exmouth).

The newly designed play areas will provide a range of fun activities requested by children and young people in these area with new trampolines, group swings, zip wires and themed play areas.

Cllr Geoff Jung, the district council’s portfolio holder for Coast, Countryside and Environment, welcomed the improvements. He said: “Although our play parks have to remain closed to prevent contamination, I’m very pleased to see we are going ahead with the agreed refurbishment of the parks so that these great new facilities will all ready and waiting for our children and young people to enjoy once the restrictions are lifted.”

Each play area will have a unique theme reflecting the heritage of the town in which it’s located, including a dinosaur theme at Seafield Gardens to reflect the town’s links to the Jurassic Coast, and a lifeboat theme at Brixington in line with Exmouth’s maritime heritage

East Devon consulted with children and young people in Seaton, Honiton and Exmouth to find out what activities they would like to see at each site, and the views of the youngsters was provided to a number of play equipment suppliers who competed to provide the best designs.

A strong and varied selection of quality designs were received and following evaluation, Proludic Ltd has been awarded the contract. Proludic has provided a comprehensive risk assessment for the works and the council will regularly monitor the refurbishments and is confident that they can take place safely.

Works will begin at Seafield Gardens and Brixington play areas from Monday and the installations across all four sites are expected to be completed within 12 weeks.

East Devon District Council ward councillors, representing the towns, welcomed the news.

Cllr Dan Ledger, Seaton ward councillor, said: “It’s fantastic to see work beginning to progress with the new play parks across East Devon. After a thorough consultation with children of all ages, you can see the engineers at East Devon have really listened and included all of the play equipment asked for. The Seafield garden play park continues the Jurassic theme of the area complementing the Jurassic mini golf it sits alongside. Thanks really has to go to the officers for making this all happen and I hope the children enjoy their brand new play equipment for years to come!”

Ward councillor for Seaton, Cllr Marcus Hartnell, added: “It’s great news that two play parks in Seaton are getting a much needed refurb. Now more than ever, our outdoor spaces are vital for the health and well-being of everyone, and these well used play parks will continue to benefit families for years to come.”

Cllr Phil Twiss, ward councillor for Honiton St Michael’s, said: “The Cherry Close play area has seen thousands of local children have great fun, burn off plenty of excess energy and keep fit in the outdoors over many years. I am delighted the district council is investing in the refurbishment of the play area, where the equipment is beginning to show its age. I’m sure that children who use the play area today and in the future will love this very exciting refresh. “