Parents living near a 30-year-old Nottingham park say it is "about time" that it was improved after a £100,000 upgrade was announced. The money will be spent on improving the equipment and facilities on offer at the Ronald Street play area in Radford, which Nottingham City Council describes as "rapidly reaching end of life."
The investment is made up of £65,000 in grant funding and £35,000 in existing money given to the council by developers. It comes after a survey asking local residents how they would like to see the park improved closed last November.
Parents with children who use the Ronald Street play area are now hopeful that work will start soon, with the council saying it hopes to have completed the upgrades in time for the school summer holidays. Darin Sabaty, 42, said: "My children do use the play area already but of course we would use it more if it was improved.
Will you be voting in the local elections? Have your say here
"It is important for the area so I'm definitely pleased that they have confirmed this money being spent now." Ida Njie, 40, said: "It's about time and we're hoping that this is done as soon as possible.
"It definitely needs the improvements because the fencing is all rusted and there hopefully will be clearer signs for dog walkers, because they are not allowed through there and yet there is only one really small sign telling them that. It's exciting that they're going to spend that amount of money on it and it will definitely be welcome, we just need to see some action now."
Abdul Balloul, 40, added: "My children do use it already but they saw the pictures in the survey showing what the park could look like and it got them really excited. We're all really behind this project and if the council wants any volunteers to help them, we're definitely ready to do that."
The council's spending on the Ronald Street play area was approved under a delegated decision published on March 10. A report from the council on the park says: "The existing playground is over 30 years old and is rapidly reaching end of life, to the point that equipment may soon have to be removed as it becomes past economic repair.
"The play area sits within Radford Ward in an area that has and is still undergoing largescale redevelopment with and increasing number of both family and social housing, putting increased pressure on existing facilities. The funding will be used to remove old play items and replace with new up to date equipment.
"Safety surfacing will also be upgraded as needed, and other features such as outdoor fitness equipment and seating areas will be provided as part of the project. This will help to deliver a modern facility that can be used by the existing community whilst also catering for the new families moving into the area."
The council says it aims to start work in May and Councillor Audra Wynter, the council's portfolio holder for highways, transport and parks, said: "We're delighted to be able to press ahead with this new play area in Radford, which we know is much-needed in the community. We've been successful in securing £100,000 from different funding sources to make it happen.
"The current play equipment is more than 30 years old and ready to be replaced, so this will provide a fun place for children and families to play for decades to come. Some of the wider improvements will include a ten-metre art wall which we hope local youngsters will help us to design, sowing of wildflower meadows to play in, and perhaps some information boards highlighting the area's history."
READ NEXT:
- Popular Nottingham restaurant awarded prestigious Michelin honour
- 'Gorgeous' Nottinghamshire town named best place to live in county
- Nottinghamshire mum dropped 3 dress sizes after becoming 'lost' due to weight gain
- Nottinghamshire farm shop and deli in the running for UK retailer of the year award
- Tributes to 'most incredible' dad who died while waiting for heart transplant
