New Alresford playground revived using the ideas of local school children

On Saturday, August 6 New Alresford Town Council opened a brand-new playground in Stratton Bates Recreation Ground based on ideas from local school children.

The mayor of Winchester, Cllr Derek Green oversaw the opening and the ribbon cutting by one of the pupils from Alresford’s Sun Hill School.

Students from Perins and Sun Hill had been involved from the early stages of New Alresford Town Council’s project, putting forward their ideas to a community-wide consultation. From more than 200 responses, an overwhelming majority of children asked for a wild adventure play theme, using natural materials to create some larger pieces of equipment as well as lots of slides.

The new playground includes four slides, two main climbing towers, five swings, monkey bars, crawl tunnel, two playhouses and a sunken trampoline.

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The playground’s £155,000 cost was covered by the town council’s funds together with donations from three of Alresford charities. A total of £19,000 was contributed by the Alresford Youth Association, the Pigs and the Rotary.

New Alresford town councillor Andy Sprott had thought the original playground was looked “tired” so led a working group through the renewal project. 

Mr Sprott said: “We concentrated so much of our resources on this one playground because it is in the geographical centre of the town and within walking or cycling distance for the great majority of Alresford’s families.”

Speaking to the crowd of more than 100 people he said: “The council aspire to carry out this project to a high standard and to make the playground a facility for Alresford to be proud of. I hope that we have done that for you.”

Cllr Sprott then went on to acknowledge the vision and generosity of Col Henry Stratton Bates, who in 1910 gave the land for the people of Alresford to enjoy forever.

The contractors were briefed to develop a playground that was “exciting and challenging for children of all age ranges and for those with limited mobility, and encourages learning, creative and imaginative play.” The town council has reused as much of the old playground as possible, with pieces of pre-loved equipment being re-homed in two other parks in the town.

The ongoing drought has meant that the newly created mound - with its slides, tunnel and climbing wall - had to be closed following the opening, as the turf has yet to establish. But the children were assured that the playground will be fully opened once the rain returns.

The young pupils were thanked for their “ideas and incredible enthusiasm and a touch of patience.”

Before cutting the ribbon and declaring the play park open Sun Hill School student Molly Boyd-Platt said: “I have been driving past the new play park with my family over the last few weeks, watching it being built, and I have been getting excited about its opening.

“I love all the new slides and climbing wall and I remember asking for a sunken trampoline when I came to the consultation, so think that will be my favourite.

“There’s something for everyone of all ages and I know the children of Alresford are really going to enjoy it. Thank you to our town council for making this possible for us. I now declare the play park open.”

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The playground was initially planned to open on July 21, but the date was pushed back due to contractors warning that sufficient time was needed to water in the new turf. Some works remain ongoing but the playgorund is safe to use.

The new playground can be found a short walk from the shops, in the Stratton Bates Recreation Ground in Grange Road.