Swings in the Playground are temporarily out of action - 24.9.24

Please be advised we have checked the frame of the swing which is loose in the ground at one side. As a safety measure we have removed the swings and once everything has been fixed and deemed safe to use, we will return the swings for use again.

We thank you for your patience and hope to return these asap.

13th October 2023 - Play area design by PlayDale accepted

The Parish Council has accepted the design for the play area and the additional space required for a well-being area agreed. Copies of the design are to be laminated and attached to a noticeboard so that the community can see what it will include and what the new layout will look like. Copies of the design are also to be published on the Parish Council website.

Existing equipment that is to be kept will continue to be maintained as required. After the swing upgrade and repair the next piece of play equipment will be the junior slide/activity. This is scheduled for removal for maintenance and repair in late February 2024. Repairs should take approximately 3 to 4 weeks during which a safety fence will be erected around the base.

An open meeting will be held on the 24th of November to share information on what is happening and how we intend to raise the capital we need to achieve our aims.

9th August 2023 - Swings in the play area have been repaired and are back in action

The PC would like to thank you for your continued patience whilst the swings were out of action due to needing some urgent repairs.

We are pleased to announce that new matting has been installed and the repairs to the swings have been carried out and the swings are now ready for use.

Denton Parish Council recognises that outdoor play is an essential part of childhood and is actively supportive in helping our community provide facilities that help children develop self-confidence, independence, and self-esteem as well as receiving the physical benefits of being active. Over the years Denton Parish Council have managed and maintained several sets of play equipment for the benefit of both our community and those children that attend the primary school.

The play area is in our recreational area, next to the primary school and near the village hall and doctors' surgery. This makes it a popular resource as many groups and families visit the area for a variety of reasons along with those who just want to have fun.

Observing the play area in use we recognise that the play area is very much a place for parents to meet and bring along other family members. It is used heavily before and after school when it becomes a meeting place. For this reason, we want to provide additional seating, hard standing and ensure that the entrances are safe and allow easy access for those with wheelchairs or buggies.

As some of our play equipment approaches end of life it is now time to re-imagine our play area. A working party with the support of the parish Council has consulted with the community and has a clear idea of what is needed in the village and to support those who visit, for example when picking up their children from the primary school. The group have reached out to play equipment designers to see how best to make use of existing equipment that still has a life and to explore what it would cost to develop the area to meet their specification. It has been clear that the following be part of the specification for our play area:

• Improved access to the play area and provide hard standing at the entrances for buggies/pushchairs
• Additional seating and family benches/tables
• Keeping the tunnel and reinstating the soil that has eroded on the mound
• Install suitable flooring around the basketball area making it more usable
• Where possible keep equipment that can be repaired economically and offers a suitable return on investment
• Consider providing play opportunities for those who may have physical challenges
• Provide a range of activities that will challenge a wide age range of children. This could be an integrated play area apparatus supplemented by existing equipment and based on suggestions from play equipment designers/suppliers.
• Value for money

In order to refine what can and can't be achieved we are now seeking community support and funding through grants and donations. As in the past, it is hoped that the community will pledge their time and expertise to help in preparing the site as well as making good and helping with the general work of removing old equipment or repairing what we hope to re-use.

A raffle held on May 6^th was the start of the fundraising that will be used to help start our fundraising and add to the initial grant from the Parish Council. We realise this will be short of what we are aiming for and so other partners and grants will be sought and applied for in order to achieve our vision for our community and those who visit us.

If you would like to get involved with the development of the play area then please contact the Parish Council Clerk who will pass on your details to the Play Area Management Group.

The Play area is there for the enjoyment of the community, so please use the form below to tell us what you think and any ideas you have to improve it.

We are currently fundraising to help in developing the play area and have some exciting plans for new play equipment, a well-being area, a sensory garden and even a bug hotel!

If you would like to help fundraise through an activity you are planning or taking part in or have any good ideas all you have to do is contact the Clerk. Details on the home page.