Skip to main content

Hooray for play as parks set for makeovers

An image of the new play park in Bodmin Road

A number of Plymouth play areas are set for an upgrade.

The third phase of the already successful Improving Plymouth Play scheme will see ten more parks spruced up between now and Spring.

Included in the improvements will be new and upgraded equipment, landscape improvements and seating.

The first four sites set for an upgrade are Lower Park Drive in Plymstock, Lancaster Gardens in Whitleigh, Albion Drive in Beacon Park and Staple Close in Belliver.

Council teams will be working closely with local families and organsiations to make sure the improvements are inclusive and allow stimulating and fun adventure for children with a range of abilities.  

World-renowned play company Kompan will be on board to help with the refits.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "It is really pleasing to be able to invest in children’s play in this manner, especially after the 18 months we've just had.

"Unfortunately, the pandemic has resulted in children and young people having to deal with the social and mental disruption of long period of time with no formal schooling as well as reduced opportunities for outdoor play and sport.

"We know how important play is to children so I look forward to seeing these parks full to the brim with happy children over the next few months."

In addition to the ten above, three other new parks have recently had improvements.

In Whitleigh, a partnership between the Council, Whitleigh Community Trust, Whitleigh Big Local and Brook Green Centre for Learning has opened the brand new Bodmin Road Pocket Park (pictured above). 

Together, the partnership have designed and installed an inclusive play area and seating area for outdoor learning and created a wildlife meadow. The area is now known as ‘Star Park’ (after local resident Star) and was officially opened at a small celebration event organised by WBL.

Meanwhile in Hartley, children and families have chosen some new equipment to add extra excitement in their local play area. Making the most of the space and money available a new spinner bowl, balance beams and tumble bars have been added.

Over in St Maurice in Plympton a new pirate ship is the latest addition to the play area. The pirate ship will be sailing into St Maurice from storage in our PCC yard and will offer lots of new opportunities for swashbuckling fun.

Find your nearest play park here