A MAJOR makeover for a play area in a village near Rugby is underway.
Harborough Magna Parish Council has begun a £70,000 project to build new play equipment at the park in Meadow Way.
The project, which also includes plans to improve seating and picnic benches and plant a wildflower meadow to increase biodiversity, follows a consultation with the local community.
The Parish Council will also take on the adjoining recreation ground, home of the annual Village Sports Day and Picnic In The Park. A new 99-year lease on this site protects it as an important green space for the community, and removes the risk that it could be lost to future residential development.
The scheme has been developed by the Parish Council using grant funding secured through the SUEZ Landfill Communities Fund and from the Swift Ford Solar Farm on the edge of the village. Further funding from the National Lottery Community Fund has allowed the inclusion of a climbing wall as part of the design.
Coun Toby France, who has led on the project for the Parish Council, said: “Our current play park has done us proud, with equipment added over many years thanks to fundraising from within our community.
“As this equipment reaches the end of its design life, it’s time for us to invest in this important community space, and ensure it continues to be a focal point for the next generation of young people in our parish.
“We’d like to thank all those whose support has made this project possible: our MP John Slinger, our County Councillor Coun Adrian Warwick, our Borough Councillor Coun Tony Gillias, James Armstrong of Gresham House Solar, Tom Kittendorf of Rugby Borough Council Leisure and Wellbeing, and our Parish Clerk Helen Denton-Stacey.
“But most importantly we’d like to thank the members of our local community who’ve taken part in our consultation events over the past two years, giving your ideas and suggestions for the new play park – we look forward to welcoming you all.”
Work on the new playground is due to be completed in mid-February, with an official opening ceremony taking place during the spring.
