BCP Council is investing in a full refurbishment of the popular play area.
Noyce Gardens play space concept design
Work is underway on a major refurbishment at Noyce Gardens – which puts the play area firmly back at the heart of the local community.
From swings and a zip-wire to sensory play and climbing equipment: the design of the upgrades is centred around the ideas of local children, young people and families.
Those ideas focused on adventure play including climbing equipment and swings. The final design has a large multi-play unit for juniors and a new smaller unit for toddlers: as well as a range of different swings for all ages, including a large rope swing. Work is expected to take around six to eight weeks.
And, not to worry, we know that sometimes even the most energetic of adventurers get a little tired – that’s why we’ll be installing new picnic tables and social seating as well.
More than £180,000 is being invested from BCP Council’s Plan for Play budget into a complete refurbishment of the site: giving better access to an inclusive play space. The fenced site will feature four distinct zones: creating bespoke play experiences for all ages from toddlers to teens, and everyone in between, as well as a sensory zone.
Cllr Sandra Moore, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for Play Strategy, said:
“Working closely with the local community, and our suppliers Kompan, has allowed us to create a truly brilliant play area that properly reflects the wants and needs of children and young people. Together we’ve been able to create a site that is going to be packed with colour, adventure and inclusive fun: and I can’t wait to see the upgrades take shape.”
Community involvement has been embedded throughout the design process with the green spaces team working alongside Kompan, Townsend Youth Club, and MBN Arts to produce key elements that will feature in the final upgrades. Local young people have designed some brilliant signs which will be displayed in the play area and painted stones for the walkway.
The improvements form part of BCP Council’s largest ever investment into play area upgrades and refurbs. More than £4.6million is being invested into play facilities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – with more than 100 sites set for improvement as part of the Plan for Play strategy.
Full-scale refurbishments are already taking place at priority sites including Mallard Road and King’s Park, and will soon get started in Hamworthy: with new equipment, repairs and improvements at dozens more sites.
Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for Parks, said:
“As a Council we’ve made a commitment to future generations of young people that we will put play first and back at the heart of their local community. These upgrades are delivering on that commitment and I’m really proud of how our team is transforming local play spaces to better serve those communities for years to come.”
With play improvements hitting full swing over the next couple of months, regular updates are being shared here, across BCP Council’s social media pages, and regular resident email bulletins.
Noyce Gardens is a Plan for Play Phase 1 Urban Replacement Play Space project. Project information at plan-for-play/concept-plans/noycegardens
