SWINGS and roundabouts – a playground in Rugby has been given an £87,000 upgrade.
The play area at Clifton upon Dunsmore recreation ground has been given a makeover following a consultation with the local community.
Residents told Clifton Parish Council that play equipment was out-of-date and didn’t provide for children from 7-15 years, and that the skateboard park was not being used.
New equipment – made from 95 per cent recycled material – has been installed, including a spire net, a zig-zag wall, a zip-wire, a turbo carousel, a trio climbing frame and junior goal posts.
The existing metal trim trail, shelter and swings have been refurbished, a new bonded safety surface and pathways have been laid, and the unused skate ramps and bars have been removed.
Funding for the project was split between the council and a grant from the SUEZ Communities Fund.
The new playground was officially opened by Mayor Barbara Brown, prompting pupils from Clifton Upon Dunsmore Primary School to try out the new equipment soon afterwards.
Clifton Parish Council chairman Andy Moore said it was a project two years in the making.
He said: “It quickly became apparent that the existing equipment was ideal for younger children but that there was no real opportunity for play for older age groups.
“However, the massive thing was how to pay for it – at over £80,000, it was something we couldn’t justify the full cost for, so to find a benefactor to grant cover half the cost was a major win. The very Generous SUEZ Community Fund England grant has done just that for our community, and we are incredibly grateful for their contribution.
“Seeing the reaction of the children when they started to play, with their enthusiasm and excitement for all the new apparatus, made all the hard work so worthwhile.”
