Basildon's new play areas opening amid £9m investment

So far this year Basildon Council have announce three of the borough's parks would be getting new play areas.

This is part of a ten-year programme of around a £9million investment into the borough’s play areas.

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Holy Cross Park

This Basildon park's new play area has already been unveiled in the borough's "biggest transformation yet".

The existing play area was first installed more than thirty years ago, with some equipment added in the years since.

An artist's impression of the new play area (Image: Basildon Council)

The new play area is a complete upgrade, increasing the amount of equipment on the site and catering for all ages and abilities.

It features an array of equipment including a zipwire, an inclusive trampoline, and a variety of swings.

Its opening precedes brand-new play areas at Lake Meadows and Northlands Park which will both open at the end of February and early March.

Northlands Park

Basildon Council is building a new £225,000 play area, football and basketball court and outdoor gym at the popular Northlands Park.

Works underway at the park (Image: Basildon Council)

The park will offer more than 40 different play elements when the work is complete, with the equipment allowing more than 200 children to play together.

The existing play area at Northlands Park has been closed while construction works are taking place, with the new one expected to be open in March.

The new play area is taking shape (Image: Basildon Council)

The play area precedes a new skatepark for the park which will come later this year.

Lake Meadows

Works underway at Lake Meadows' play area (Image: Basildon Council)

This Billericay park will cater for all ages and abilities, feature over 130 play value opportunities, and allow over 180 children to play together simultaneously.

The council says the design was developed with residents - who chose the selected design out of the shortlisted options at a face-to-face consultation at the site back in July.

Works are currently being carried out with the first pieces of equipment having been installed by the end of January.

How the play area will look (Image: Basildon Council)

The new play area will be on the existing play site in the park, meaning it will be closed until works have been completed which is expected to be the end of this month or beginning of March.