Construction of the new play area at Jackie Bells Fields in Netherfield is due to start on 27 April and is expected to take around six weeks to complete.
The existing play area will be closed whilst works are carried out.
The improvements will see the old equipment and flooring removed and replaced with a new play area, including a 30-metre zip line, multi-play climbing units, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline, a table tennis table, and a chess table. The park will reopen in the summer.
The new and improved development is thanks to funding from FCC Communities Foundation, a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation, and heritage projects from funds donated by waste and resource management company FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund. FCC Communities Foundation will be providing a total grant of £98,000.
Cheryl Raynor, Grant Manager at FCC Communities Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to support the transformation of Jackie Bells Fields play area into an inclusive, modern play space that reflects the needs and ideas of the local community. Projects like this show the real difference that Landfill Communities Fund investment can make, creating welcoming spaces where children and families can play, connect, and thrive for years to come.”
The funding bid was submitted in collaboration with Gedling Borough Council and a small group of local partners. It included consultations with local children from Netherfield Junior School, young people from the Loco Centre, and local families to gather input on what they wanted to see in the park.
Councillor Alison Hunt, Ward Councillor for Netherfield, is excited that the project is starting to take shape. She says:
“It’s great to see our vision for this vital community facility moving closer to reality. I would like to thank our small group, Cllr Russell Whiting, NCC Youth Worker Andy Foulds, and Gedling Borough Council’s Parks Development Team for the commitment and enthusiasm they have brought to this project.
“I am also seeking additional funds to support a community graffiti project on the skatepark and teen shelter, and I also hope to enhance the natural space behind the MUGA.
“We are extremely grateful for the funding from FCC Communities Foundation for the play area. We would like to thank the community for their support on this project and feel sure that it will be enjoyed by local children for many years to come.”
Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, said:
“This new play area will be a fantastic addition to the Borough, offering a wide range of facilities for children to enjoy. I am delighted that work on the site is now getting underway and that it will soon be available for the community to use.
“I would like to thank the Friends of Jackie Bells for working with us on the application, as well as FCC Communities Foundation for providing the funding that has made this project possible.”
