The play equipment at Hoblingwell Wood Recreation Ground is being replaced later this year, with sensory garden planting also included in the plans.
The news follows a successful funding application to the Veolia Environmental Trust, with the plans shaped by the outcome of local consultation which was led by the Friends of Hoblingwell. Sensory areas are being included in the plans after consultation showed 17 per cent of the 150 residents surveyed have children with additional physical or mental needs.
The improvement project, which includes a £74k grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust, will include a new accessible roundabout and the replacement of the current swing frames for older children, including an inclusive cradle swing, with climbing boulders also set to be installed. The new play equipment will be made with recycled plastic, low-carbon, and sustainably sourced materials.
This latest news is part of long term plans to improve Hoblingwell Wood Recreation Ground, with consultation about the cycle track starting in March 2020, with the opening of the Hoblingwell pump track in June 2022 and the subsequent installation of a perimeter fence to improve safety then also following.
Councillor Will Rowlands, Executive Councillor for Environment said, "This latest improvement for Hoblingwell very much builds on the work we have done already, with the cycle track opened a couple of years ago now and the new fence being installed more recently as well. We have valued the support of many local people who have been passionate in advocating for this much cared for greenspace and my thanks goes to the Friends of Hoblingwell for their ongoing work as well."
Ralph Ambrose, Honorary Chairman of the Friends of Hoblingwell, said "We are delighted with this latest development. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Veolia Environmental Trust and everyone who contributed to our consultation and discussions, which have been instrumental in shaping our plans. If you live locally and care about Hoblingwell, we invite you to join our Friends group in helping to care for and enhance this cherished green space for all to enjoy."
Andrew Brown, Executive Director of the Veolia Environmental Trust, said: "We're proud to be supporting this project through the Veolia Environmental Trust, which meets local feedback from the community and will make a lasting impact on, including supporting biodiversity. This initiative embodies the Trust's mission to empower people to improve both community wellbeing and their local environment."
The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting projects through the Landfill Communities Fund since 1997. To date, it has distributed over £108 million, funding more than 2,843 grants for projects ranging from nature reserves to community initiatives such as Bromley's. For more information about Veolia Environmental Trust, please visit www.veoliatrust.org/.
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8461 7670 or Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.