Major upgrades are coming to Mallard Road play space.
The new Mallard Road play space concept design
The £104,000 refurbishment will see a host of new play features – from spinning carousels and play panelling, to adventurous swings, slides and climbing equipment.
Improvements have been directly shaped by conversations with the local community and, of course, include one or two nods to the majestic mallard.
At the heart of the design is a brand-new multi-play unit that is ideal for young adventurers: combining climbing and balancing elements with a slide and social features. Ducks, curlews and seagulls all feature in the play panels and scavenger hunt: and the birds adorn a springer and inclusive seesaw.
Funding for the work comes from BCP Council’s Plan for Play strategy, with an additional allocation from BCP Homes.
Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for parks, said:
“Mallard Road is a perfect example of what Plan for Play is all about. Last summer we told residents we would deliver on their vision for community greenspaces: we heard loud and clear their passion for the site and were able to secure additional funding as a result.
“This shows what can be done when the Council collaborates with passionate local communities and I am delighted that work will soon be getting underway.”
Local children helped shape the design through our community consultation
The major refurbishment is the latest in BCP Council’s multi-million pound commitment to putting play back at the heart of communities. Plan for Play, first approved by councillors in December 2024, is seeing upgrades, improvements and repair at around 100 play areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Full-scale refurbishments have already taken place at Queen’s Park, Treasure Island and Bourne Valley; work is currently underway on significant upgrades at King’s Park and will soon begin at Noyce Gardens. Smaller-scale improvements are taking place at dozens of other sites: including the resurfacing Beamish Road, and new equipment at Seafield Gardens and Oakdale.
Cllr Kieron Wilson, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said:
“We know that good-quality play spaces are an important part of creating thriving neighbourhoods and giving children the best possible start in life.
“Helping to fund these improvements, through our BCP Homes budget, means we can ensure Plan for Play goes even further and gives young people access to a revamped, inclusive play area at the heart of their community.”
Noyce Gardens is a Plan for Play Phase 1 Urban Replacement Play Space project. Project information at plan-for-play/concept-plans/noycegardens
