West Bridgford Teen Park play area has opened following the completion of works as part of recent investments in play area refurbishments by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC).
The work has introduced a host of new features at the site, including a climbing structure, balancing trim trail, three social hammocks, four wooden benches, and new inclusive equipment.
The refurbished play area includes a teen workout unit featuring monkey bars and a climbing net, a bird’s nest steel swing, and a teen shelter. There is also a new multi-use games area for basketball, football, and cricket, with targets, wickets, and raised spectator seating.
Refurbishment of the existing play equipment also took place alongside groundworks and resurfacing of the park aimed at older children.
This project is part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and builds on RBC’s £1 million investment in parks and open spaces across the borough since 2021.
RBC’s park upgrades have been at council-owned locations, including parks in West Bridgford and at Rushcliffe Country Park, with other parks across Rushcliffe often maintained by town and parish councils and other organisations.
Works have been completed by Bunny-based playground equipment supplier Proludic Ltd, who also designed the updated features.
To celebrate the new facilities at Bridge Field Teen Park, the Mayor of Rushcliffe, Cllr John Cottee, reopened the park in a ribbon-cutting event with Year 6 pupils from West Bridgford Junior School, RBC members, the Friends of Bridgford Park, and Proludic Ltd.
Cllr Cottee said: “I was delighted to mark the opening of these brilliant new inclusive facilities here at Bridgford Park that all children can enjoy.
“The pupils were excited to visit the park and had a great time playing on the brand-new equipment. We also organised some fun sporting activities such as cricket, football, and netball in the upgraded pitch.”
West Bridgford Junior School Deputy Head Teacher Beth Arnold added: “We had such a wonderful afternoon opening the new park.
“The children had the opportunity to take part in organised sessions as well as enjoying an ice cream. It is such a fantastic facility that I know will be enjoyed by many families in our school community and beyond.”
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Wellbeing, ICT & Member Development, Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, added: “This latest completed refurbishment is another milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure we are providing the highest quality play areas and open spaces for our residents.
“The upgrades follow feedback from our public consultation as part of our Rushcliffe Play Strategy, demonstrating our commitment to delivering on residents’ needs for play facilities in the borough.
“The investment in additional inclusive play equipment is important to us, so that all our residents can enjoy our wonderful play parks.”
RBC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth, Cllr Abby Brennan, said: “We’re pleased to allocate UKSPF funding to support the upgrades at Bridge Field Teen Park.
“We want to help people to enjoy our great facilities and encourage them to get out and about in the summer weather, and our parks and play areas are the perfect places to meet friends and have fun.”
Managing Director of Proludic Ltd, Rob Baker, said: “As a global business with its UK headquarters in the heart of Rushcliffe, the team at Proludic is delighted to have designed and delivered this new teen facility within the West Bridgford community.
“Rushcliffe Borough Council’s continuous investment in accessible and innovative facilities within its parks and open spaces is commendable, and as a local business, we are very excited to share our experience and to help deliver on their aspirations.”
