Bassetlaw: Carlton and Rhodesia get refurbished play parks

Notts County Council began work on a new £120,000 play park in Rhodesia at the same time Bassetlaw Council open the refurbished Becket Avenue Play Park in Carlton.

The park in Mary Street, Rhodesia is the 3000th project to receive funding from the county council’s Local Improve Scheme (LIS).

The county council has team up with the district council and Rhodesia Parish Council on the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of August.

New equipment for toddlers, juniors and teenagers will be installed as well as seating, picnic tables and surfacing.

Coun Sybil Fielding said: “I’m over the moon that the play park in Rhodesia is the 3000th LIS project and it will make such a huge impact to young people’s lives.

“The refurbishment has been long overdue and this much needed facility will be a wonderful asset for the village and surrounding areas.”

The design for the Mary Street Play Park will take inspiration from the mining heritage of north Notts, using the colours and machinery to influence the equipment and materials used.”

Notts County Council leader Coun Alan Rhodes added: “The Local Improvement Scheme has invested in play parks and skate parks across the county in the last few years and children and young people are benefiting from being outdoors in the fresh air.”

“A facility like this will hopefully become a meeting place for young people and families in years to come and I’m sure a huge crowd will be here for the opening later in August.”

Meanwhile, children from Carlton joined councillors from Bassetlaw Council in officially opening the refurbished Becket Avenue Play Park, to help celebrate Love Parks Week

The ceremonial Bassetlaw green ribbon was cut by six-year-old Matthew Womble, who was visiting the park with his family.

The £40,000 refurbishment has seen the replacement of play equipment that had reached the end of its natural shelf life.

The new facilities are designed to promote social interaction and social play, with challenging elements such as climbing activities designed to provide a sense of achievement through play.

David Linley, parks and open spaces manager at Bassetlaw Council said: “Becket Avenue has a really nice mix of equipment and it contains all they key elements of play such as rocking, rotational and balancing activities.”

“When we build a new play area we are looking to promote opportunities for social interaction between children and development through play. Another great thing about Becket Avenue is that it is an integrated facility so that it can be used by children with disabilities as well.”

Coun Julie Leigh, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw Council said: “It was a great pleasure to officially open the play area with Matthew, Jack and Amy and I am pleased it has their approval already.”

“As a council we are committed to providing quality play areas and facilities for our children and young people. We will be looking to further develop Becket Avenue in the future, with a second phase adding a multi-use games area.”