Exciting plans to transform three play areas in Threemilestone, Gloweth and Shortlanesend have taken a giant leap forward this week following Kenwyn Parish Council’s decision to select two companies to deliver the long awaited £140,000 project.
Kenwyn Parish Council has been working hard during the past 12 months to finalise its plans to improve three of its existing play parks using s106 funding from developer contributions so they can be enjoyed by all parts of the local community. Previous public consultations, including school workshops, written questionnaires and a public exhibition, highlighted the need for new play equipment for a wider range of ages and disabilities, as well as providing new areas for people to sit and relax.
Using the results of the consultation the parish council has worked with specialist play experts to develop individual plans for each of the three parks. Following this week’s parish council meeting details of the plans and the recommended contractors will now be sent to Cornwall Council to be formally approved. This expected to take two to three weeks, with work then due to begin in May.
The improvements will see a range of new play equipment suitable for both young children and teenagers added to the existing equipment at the parish council owned playing field between Polstain Road and Threemilestone primary school. This will include net swings, a grass covered tunnel and mound with a slide, a roundabout and playhouse specially designed for use by children with disabilities, a new climbing frame and an area outdoor sports which will also be available for fundraising events, fairs and outdoor markets.
There will also be improved access to the field, as well as new pathways suitable for pushchairs, prams and wheelchairs, a picnic and seating area with new benches and tables, a wildflower meadow to encourage bees, butterflies and bird life, and additional tree planting to create a space for all parts of the community to enjoy.
The plans for Chyvelah Play Park, a 700 square metre are of open space, at Gloweth, are targeted more at younger children and will include an agility trail, a caterpillar tunnel, a swing frame, an insect springer and spinner equipment, together with a brightly coloured mural commissioned from a local artist, a new wildflower meadow and replacement benches. There will also be an improved entrance to make it safe for very young children, and a sensory path.
At Shortlanesend, where local people identified the need for additional seating, a greater variety of play equipment and opportunities for adults to engage in exercise and socialise, there will be new benches and a shelter, a ‘witch’s hat and climbing net for children aged six and above, a new ‘boat’ play feature in the designated toddler are, swings and a climbing frame for older children. Ramps will also be fitted to the existing slide in the play park.
The aim of the project is to encourage a greater sense of community and bring local families together by providing a wider range of high quality, safe play equipment, made from natural materials where possible, as well as spaces for other recreational activities suitable for all age groups, from toddlers to grandparents, and open spaces where people can enjoy fresh air and peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings.
Last July the parish council adopted an Environmental Plan and since then has been working on a number of measures to reduce carbon and help tackle the Climate Emergency.
Specific measures include installing nature reserves in green and open spaces to help increase children’s awareness of nature, as well as providing hedgehog gates, bee hotels and bee stops, planting trees, bushes, wildflowers and specific bee friendly plants to help reduce CO2 and improve air quality.
Creating new wildflower meadows in the play parks and planting new areas of trees will help to support this plan.
The parish council has also adopted some verges from Cornwall Council and will be planting wildflowers and shrubs in these areas to help restore ecology.