Over £1.1 million invested in children’s play

The Council has a play area improvement programme that will see over £1.1million invested in the important area of children’s play. It includes the installation of new play areas and refurbishing existing ones across the Borough and more are planned.

Thousands of children and families are now enjoying new and refurbished play areas that provide safe, fun and challenging experiences for children of all ages. New play areas have been installed on many of our new developments at Leah Gardens and two play areas at North Stoneham Park in Eastleigh, Bowlake Gardens, Bishopstoke and at Hatch Farm, West End. A number of play areas have been refurbished including Grantham Green and Leigh Road in Eastleigh.

More play areas are planned including;

• Pirelli Park, Eastleigh

• Boorley Green, Botley

• Heron Walk, Kingfisher Grange and Windhover Meadows, Bursledon

• Latitude, Hedge End

• Cheriton Road and Lawn Road in Eastleigh

• Crowdhill in Fair Oak

• Hellyar Rise, Hedge End

Each play area has its own range of equipment that provide a range of activities for the children with multiactivity units, basket or combi swing, springers, zip wire, accessible roundabouts for disabled users. All our play areas also include safety surfacing.

Here are some of the main benefits to children;

• increasing physical exercise and activity

• enjoying being outdoors

• improving healthy activity and fresh air

• increasing social play and interaction with other children

• learning about the local environment

Cabinet Lead for Health, Cllr Tonia Craig, said: “I’m pleased and proud that we are investing over £1.1million in play areas for our communities across the Borough to enjoy. They provide safe and stimulating environments for our children to explore and have fun. It also enables them to meet other children and keep active which is great for both their physical and mental health.”

Picture A : Rocco and Santi at Bowlake Meadows,

Bishopstoke Picture B : Leigh Road Picture C : Hatch Farm, West End Picture D : North Stoneham, Eastleigh