Published: Friday 05th January 2024 | 3.54pm
A popular play area, first installed in 1991, has had a revamp costing £88,000 to bring the equipment and landscaping up to modern standards and to make it fully inclusive.
The play area is in the Cannock East Ward and borders Barnard Way and Cannock Road. Nearby there has been significant house building over the past five years and so councillors from the ward requested that Community Infrastructure Levy Funds, or CIL money, be used to give the existing play area a makeover so young people living nearby have a nice area for playing and meeting their friends.
The money has enabled the installation of a new, fully accessible and equipped play area, new hard surfaced footpaths and fencing work, all supplied by Dawkes & Co Ltd from Stafford. On the surrounding area there has been the planting of new trees and shrubs funded separately from a donation of £8,750 given to the Council by The Forest of Mercia Community Interest Company (CIC).
Councillors agreed to fund the improvements in January last year. There then followed a survey of local residents on the design of the new area, and the distribution of leaflets about the work to take place.
The play area was completed just before Christmas, on 22 December.
Welcoming the completion of the work and improvements, Councillor John Preece, Portfolio Leader for Parks, Culture and Heritage said: “I am delighted with the improvements to this park. My nan lived on Barnard Way, and I grew up with many fond memories of playing here. It's great that a new generation can now enjoy this playground.
“Good play areas can be an important hub of the community, especially where there are young families living nearby. We are delighted that this particular play area has now been modernised and will be fit for purpose and enjoyed by young people for hopefully many years to come.”
Photograph:
Pictured at the Barnard Way play area are (from l to r): Councillor John Preece, Councillor Fred Prestwood, Cannock East Ward Member, Chairman of the Council, Councillor Alan Pearson, Kevin James, Contracts Manager, Dawkes & Co Ltd., Councillor Tony Johnson, Cannock East Ward Member, and Councillor Jacquie Prestwood, Cannock East Ward Member.