Extended and improved Children’s Play Area

The works have been completed and the extended and improved children’s play area at Rotherwick Playing Fields is now open! Thank you to all residents for your patience and understanding whilst the works have been undertaken.

Before the improvement works, Rotherwick already benefited from a very good children’s play area. However, the flooring had come to the end of its life and needed replacing (which would have been an expensive undertaking for the Parish Council), and it was also identified that the equipment was not fully inclusive, nor suitable for younger children.

To help tackle these items, the Parish Council applied for and successfully secured a grant from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by Hart District Council. Using this funding, alongside monies from the Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund, the play area has been extended with provision of new equipment for children under the age of 5, as well as to make the whole play area more accessible and usable for all children. The flooring in the play area as it was has also been fully replaced and extended to ensure it is safe to use for many years – without this having to paid for from the Parish precept.

Playgrounds are recognised as being important for children’s development and physical wellbeing, as well as providing an area for parents and carers to socialise. The Parish Council implemented the play area project to support those children living in Rotherwick, their parents, grandparents and carers, as well as visiting relatives and friends of Rotherwick residents, for many years to come.

It’s been great and heart-warming to see, and receive messages from, residents who have already been using and enjoying the new play area! Thank you!

Cllr Adam Bealey on behalf of Rotherwick Parish Council