All Set For Opening Of Exciting New Play Area In Onslow Village

Published on: 23 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 23 Sep, 2016

The newest play area in Guildford borough is being opened by the mayor, Cllr Gordon Jackson, this Saturday (September 24) at Onslow Recreation Ground, Onslow Village.

Still under wraps with constructors' fencing all around here are a few glimpses of the new play area at Onlsow Village.

Still under wraps with constructors’ fencing all around here are a few glimpses of the new play area in Onlsow Village.

The council reports that with its enlarged play area, it boasts one of the largest ranges of play equipment in the borough, made almost entirely of robinia timber.

The site is also home to a new sandpit with a host of play opportunities. The play area design was informed by two consultations with more than 250 responses each time, which all contributed to selecting the theme, style and materials.

Entrance to The Warren within the play area.

Located next to Onslow Arboretum, the play area is shaped to reflect a tree with its root system and canopy – with a ‘rabbit warren’ among the tree roots that forms the toddler area, and with ‘fossils’ buried in the sandpit.

The coucnil adds that the theme of nature and natural materials is continued with boulders in the sandpit, tree stumps for stepping trails, grass and hornbeam hedges. In the longer term, seven new trees will be planted and a meadow of longer grass allowed to grow around the edges, some of which will form a grass maze that forms the ‘tree canopy’.

The play area featured robina timber throughout.

The play area featured robinia timber throughout.

The new play area has been funded by Guildford Borough Council as part of its long-term investment in the borough’s play areas. It is the first play area to open following the council’s new Play Strategy that outlines this innovative approach to play.

Seatring and benches are also features within the new play area.

Cllr Richard Billington, lead councillor for rural economy, countryside, parks and leisure, said: “We’re delighted to see this new play area open, and want to thank all the residents, and Onslow Village Residents’ Association who supported the process from start to finish.

“It represents an important move towards exciting and challenging play areas that bring children closer to nature. We hope this investment brings lots of fun, and learning and social opportunities for generations of children.”

Responses to All Set For Opening Of Exciting New Play Area In Onslow Village

Brian Holt Reply

September 27, 2016 at 2:19 pm

Would Cllr Billington like to take a look the the children’s playground in Stoughton recreation ground? It has never been cleaned or painted for years.

He is wrong when he said money has been spent on the community centre, as there has never been one in Stoughton especially in the recreation ground.

When will it be Stoughton’s turn to get a new play area matching the one like Onslow Village has?

It is funny that roads get resurface and play grounds updated in wards where the Conservative councillors are.

[Ed: A News from Millmead story we published on July 6, 2016, included details of the council’s official re-opening of what it calls ‘Stoughton Community Centre’ after refurbishment. The building is operated by the charity Challengers and the council stated that the venue “provides a hall, lounge area and kitchen available for hire”.