Eighteen months after the old crumbling wooden play equipment was pulled out of Deanhill play park in Ross-on-Wye, the town council has saved up the £20,000 to re-instate new modern facilities.
Behind closed doors at last week’s town council meeting, councillors decided to go with one of three bids for the refurbishment.
Deanhill Park is a large area of open space land opposite the Community Hospital.
It is owned by the town council and the play park takes up just one corner of it.
It is used by families living in areas such as Kent and Sussex Avenues and Walford Road, as well as visiting children.
Town clerk Denise Mason said she couldn’t say when the old equipment was put in as it had been there for so long.
“It was wooden and all with all things wooden they eventually fall apart. They were past their sell-by date,” she said. Councillors have opted for a plan to have a new climbing frame, swings-both flat bed for the older children and cradle swings for the smaller ones. There will also be a mini fitness trail featuring balancing and rotating beams with stepping blocks.
A normal safety surface will be laid on the ground. When the old equipment was removed leaving only a rocking horse and a few swings, the council did not have enough money to replace them.
So last year they budgeted for the refurbishment and they will also be drawing on their reserves so they can complete the job in one go.
Denise said she had no idea at this point when the new scheme will be completed as it is up to the suppliers. They will supply and fit the equipment which will take between seven and 10 days.
Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Councillor Phil Cutter said the new play equipment was needed to keep up with new safety legislation.
“It needed updating and we needed to make more provision for play equipment for children in the area.
“It was unanimously decided on that things need replacing. We are doing something positive for the kids.
“It’s quite a lot of money but its going to the kids and will make a nice environment,” he said.
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