15 June 2020
South Hams District Council is consulting on new play equipment for three play areas in the District, and would like to hear from the people who use it most.
The play equipment at Westonfields and Collapark in Totnes, and at Ermington near Ivybridge, is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Before asking play companies to come up with designs, however, the Council wants to know what its smaller residents would most like to see.
Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing at South Hams District Council, said: “Physical activity in young children is absolutely vital – studies have shown that being physically active can support brain development and help develop social skills and emotional wellbeing, as well as the obvious benefits of improving fitness and muscle development. So that’s why it’s important that we get these play areas right.
“Much more importantly though, we want to get the play areas perfect for the children because it’s fun.”
As well as the new play equipment, the Council plan to replace seating and picnic tables, install new bins and where required, replace surfacing and fencing depending on the outcome of the consultation.
The consultation also covers natural enhancements to the areas, and asks what, if any, planting should be considered.
Cllr Hawkins continued: “One suggestion has been that we could look at having some fruit trees near the play areas, not only for the aesthetic value, but also because it’s a great way to get kids to eat fruit.”
The consultation will run for four weeks from the 17 June to the 19 July. You can read more and complete the survey at www.southhams.gov.uk/playareas.
The work to replace the play equipment will be carried out over the winter of 2020 to 2021.
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