A £1 million investment will see playgrounds across Southend revamped for youngsters to enjoy.
Southend Council is planning to use community infrastructure levy (CIL) deposits from developers to upgrade the city’s main park playgrounds and some smaller sites in the city.
CIL funds are agreed with the council during the planning process, and can only be spent on community projects.
Priory Park in Southend will get £200,000 for a full redesign, with a replacement of most of the equipment which is dated and in poor condition.
Some items will be restored or reconditioned.
The dilapidated see-saw, climbing frames and multi-play unit will be replaced along with the addition of “more challenging items for all ages”
Bournes Green Park in Southend also has £200,000 earmarked for a full revamp, while Belfairs Park playground will see £50,000-worth of improvements and a possible move nearer to the Woodland Centre.
Smaller playgrounds which will see improvements include Milton Gardens playground in Westcliff, Oakwood park in Leigh and Friars park in Shoebury.
A report to Southend’s cabinet, which will meet on Thursday to discuss the proposals, said: “Southend will have a network of accessible, high-quality and highly valued parks and open spaces to be proud of, promoting sustainability, health, and well-being, supporting biodiversity and extensively contributing to the economic, social and environmental aspirations of the city.
“As part of this process, we have been auditing and assessing many of our parks, play areas and open spaces to enable us to prioritise what works are required as and when funding becomes available.”
Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture and tourism, said: “We are putting £1 million into our playgrounds and parks. The bulk of it will go into the big central parks like Priory Park and Chalkwell Park but there will be a substantial element set aside for local play areas across the town so we can make sure everybody in every area gets a benefit from that money.”
Other proposals to include the installation of an aeration system to combat water quality issues in Southchurch Park lake, footpath and play area improvements to Leigh Library Gardens. These will total and estimated £120,000, funded by the council’s existing capital programme.
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