Extra cash to improve play areas across city

Victoria Recreation Ground will get replacement swings, Hangleton Park will benefit from a replacement climber unit and Dyke Road park will see repairs to a slide feature.

Work also includes replacement or repair to surfacing and new gates at a number of play areas.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee said: “Play is such an important part of what parks have to offer, so we welcome this much needed investment to carry out essential replacement work and help keep our parks safe. Like all councils we face the challenge of ensuring we maintain and protect our parks and open spaces with reduced budgets.

“Longer term we are improving our play areas with Section 106 planning contributions and the generous help of volunteers. We’re also taking forward our open spaces strategy which is building on the excellent work going on already and which won the city seven Green flags this year.”

Nearly £20,000 has been allocated for planting in Easthill Memorial Garden, Preston Park, The Level, Stoneham Park, Kipling Gardens, St Ann’s Well Gardens and Hove Park, as well as improving bins in the city centre parks and signage in Kipling Gardens.

The council has also increased security in city centre parks where there has been antisocial behaviour, currently targeting Norfolk Square, St Nicholas Rest Garden, Dorset gardens, The Level and Queens Park.