Group Aims To Create New Play Area In Millmead

Published on: 17 Jun, 2016
Updated on: 19 Jun, 2016

Guildford could soon be enjoying a new town centre playground if the ambitions of Westnye Gardens Community Group comes to fruition.

Westnye Gardens, off Millmead.

A group of parents living around Millmead, the Mount and Portsmouth Road approached Guildford Borough Council last autumn to highlight that there is a  lack of local play facilities in the area.

Spokesperson Eve Jaques said: “Coincidentally, the council’s Play Strategy, which was published earlier this year came to the same conclusion. Since then our community group and the council have been working together to address this problem.

“The site, which is the frontrunner for a park, is Westnye Gardens. It’s a little walled garden just along from the Britannia pub on the river front.

“It is underused and in a bit of a sorry state, but is a great location for local children and for people visiting the town centre. Think about those shopping trips when the kids need to burn off some energy!

“This site offers the perfect location for a shopping break, and perhaps a picnic in the summer.

“There are some hurdles in the way: some legal restrictions need to be addressed, a consultation will then be run, and a bidding process will be conducted during which a contractor and design will be chosen. We hope that the new playground will be finished by the end of 2017.”

Eve added that if anyone would like to follow the group’s progress and would like to support the idea, is welcome to join its Facebook group called Westnye Gardens Community Group. 

Eve said: “We have a photo competition at the moment, the prize for the best photo taken in Westnye Gardens is a dinner for two at the Britannia pub!”

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