Potential Upgrade to Whittons Park Children’s Play Park

The Long Leys & West End Resident’s Associations (LLRA & WERA) have now drafted a brief for a potential upgrade to the Whittons Park children’s play park. The draft document was discussed at the Carholme Community Forum on 3 December and can be read at: https://long-leys.org/pdf/Brief-for-Upgrade-to-Whittons-Park-Playpark-v1-2a.pdf

This document, when finalised, is intended for use as supporting evidence for a City Council issued tender to playpark suppliers, for designs which meet the community brief and budget available. Once tender responses have been received from suppliers, it is anticipated a shortlist of designs will be presented to local children to give feedback on the preferred designs, via both schools and a selection event at Whittons Park.

Thanks

Thanks to those in the Long Leys & West End communities who responded to our original request for feedback in the summer (See https://long-leys.org/give-us-your-view-does-whitton-park-play-equipment-need-upgrading/ ). Your input was very helpful. Thanks also to the small group of parents that volunteered to help transform the feedback into the draft document.

Next Step – Feedback On Document From The Community

Before submitting the document to the City Council for consideration, LLRA & WERA are keen to ensure that it does reflect the broad view of our communities. For those with an interest please do take the time to read the document and email any observations, issues or concerns to NPAG@long-leys.org. All input will be reviewed for potential inclusion in the document. Do bear in mind that, at this stage, this is a broad brief to potential suppliers for them to interpret, rather than a detailed equipment specification. Please provide responses by 18 December to allow us to submit this document prior to Xmas. Thank You.

Summary of Brief

The successful supplier design will be the one that best meets the following requirements:

• Reflects the green look and feel of the Long Leys area and its link with surrounding local wildlife spaces (Hobblers Hole, Newt Hollow) and the West Common
• A range of different equipment which together caters for children in age ranges 5 & under, 6-11, 12-15
• Possible themes that balance challenge & risk:
  • A: Revamp of the existing fenced area play equipment, to ensure adequate coverage for those 5 & under and 6-11
  • B: Double or triple zip wire downhill experience to use contours of park
  • C: Trim trail / agility trail / assault course / rope bridge experience
  • D: Sports wall / kick about zone allowing football goal with basketball / netball hoops (with informal seating / social zone)
• Encourages creativity, imagination and respect for wildlife/nature
• Inclusive design for all ranges of ability and mobility
• Capable of being operational over a ten-to-fifteen year period without extensive maintenance demands
• Key activities sited away from existing housing to reduce noise & disturbance
• Encourages children and parents to arrive by foot or by cycle, rather than car
• Provides the opportunity to include the journey to/from the park as part of the experience in the future (such as the potential for nature/wildlife themes if coming over West Common, or past a re-instated Newt Hollow pond if travelling from St George’s. This would require additional grant funding at a later date.

The document can be read at: https://long-leys.org/pdf/Brief-for-Upgrade-to-Whittons-Park-Playpark-v1-2a.pdf

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Background to Neighbourhood Plan

This particular activity is part of the Neighbourhood Planning project for Long Leys and supports the following focus area:

• Better care and protection for green spaces and wildlife

The Long Leys Neighbourhood Plan is being developed by LLRA and community volunteers, along with specialist support from a grant funded planning consultant and other specialist consultants. The overall project is being managed, on behalf of LLRA, by the Neighbourhood Planning Action Group (NPAG). If you would like to volunteer to help with any of the Neighbourhood Plan activity, which is 100% community led and controlled, then email us at NPAG@long-leys.org. Volunteers willingly give up their time to benefit the whole Long Leys community. See long-leys.org/neighbourhood-plan/ for more details on the project.