New Adventure Playground to Open in Ash Next Spring

Published on: 4 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 4 Dec, 2024

The old playground – judged to offer poor play opportunities

By David Reading

Groundworks for a new Safari Adventure Playground at Dan’s Meadow, The Briars, Ash, will start on Monday (December 9).

The work, a Guildford Borough Council project, will take around eight weeks to complete, subject to weather conditions, and the council plans to open the new playground in the early spring. The site is near South Lane.

The cost of the playground replacement will be funded mostly from Section 106 payments from developers who are building homes in the Ash area and there will also be part-funding from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The current playground was judged to be too small, too old and offering poor play opportunities.

An online consultation with local people resulted in 80 per cent of those who responded saying they liked the design, says the council.

Some people questioned the options for children with disabilities. In response, the council says: “The playground is designed to be inclusive for a range of abilities and needs, so there is something for all abilities. In many instances disabled and non-disabled children will be able to play together.

“Ninety per cent of the equipment is accessible from a hard standing surface and several play panels for sensory and tactile play will be at wheelchair height. Many other features of the play equipment support those with mobility and sensory difficulties.”

There were comments about the amount of seating. The council says: “ There were already two benches in the fenced playground area and one outside. The council will add another bench outside the fenced area in response to the consultation comments.”

Some respondents said they would prefer to see a timber finish more in keeping with the site and nature. The council says: “Play equipment will be metal as this offers easier and more cost-effective maintenance. To blend into the setting, we will use a blend of green tones and metal finishes. Six trees and wildflower areas will be planted to bring nature into the play space. This will also link it to the surrounding open space.”

Cllr George Potter

Cllr George Potter, GBC’s Lead Councillor for Environment and Climate Change, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation. I’m very pleased with the positive reaction we’ve had to the design.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this exciting and inclusive play space completed. It’s another example of how we’re making Guildford a greener, fairer, thriving community.”

More information about the consultation is on the Guildford Borough Council website