A play area on a Nottinghamshire recreation ground is set to be improved thanks to a £100,000 grant. FCC Communities Foundation provided the grant to Lambley Lane Recreation Ground Play Area in Gedling, which will see the old equipment and flooring removed and replaced.
The site will have a brand new play area, which will include a 30m zip line, swings, slides and climbing frames. It will also have a number of accessible and inclusive facilities including a DDA compliant roundabout, trampoline, basket swing and play panels.
These changes will make the play area suitable for children up to the age of 12 years old, unlike the current play area which is only suitable for those aged six and under. Work on the park will begin in November 2023 and is expected to last for six weeks, during which the existing play area will be closed.
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Penny Horne, spokesperson for FCC Communities Foundation, said: "We’re delighted to be supporting the Lambley Lane Recreation Ground Play Area Refurbishment project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families within Gedling. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”
The bid for funding was made in partnership with Gedling Parks Community Group and included a consultation with three local primary schools, All Hallows Primary School, Priory Junior School and Willow Farm. Children from each of the schools had their say and gave suggestions for what they would like to see at the site.
Jenny Hollingsworth, Chair of the Gedling Parks Community Group said: "I’m so happy to share the news that we’ll soon have a brand new play area at Lambley Lane. The support from the local community has not only been incredible, but also a vital part of our application to secure funding for the site.
"We simply wouldn’t have been successful if it wasn’t for them. I can’t wait to see the works start and the new play area take shape, the plans for the site look fantastic and I’m sure that local children will be keen to try it all out all the new equipment as soon as it opens.
"This has been a real collaborative effort between the local community, Gedling Borough council and FCC, and I’d like to thank everyone involved for their support.” Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, added: "I’m incredibly pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with the local community to bring these major improvements to Lambley Lane Play Area.
"The plans for the new facilities look fantastic and I’m sure the new play area will be very much welcomed by the local community. We spoke to local school children to find out what they wanted from the new play area, and I’m excited to see what they think of it when it opens.
"I’d like to thank Gedling Parks Community Group for working with us on the application, and to FCC Communities Foundation for providing the funding to make this project a reality.”
