LARGE PLAY AREA PLANNED FOR WEST PARK

A new play area planned for West Park in Long Eaton looks set to be the biggest one in the area. The £400,000 play area would replace the existing one, with the splash pad remaining in place. It will be made possible following Erewash Borough Council’s successful bid for £2.8 million of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The public, including schools and residents, will be asked to help choose which facilities the themed play area will feature. It will include equipment accessible for children with disabilities and the proposed plan is for the play area to flow around the café, rather than being in separate sections. It is hoped that work will start in late spring 2024. Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead member for Health and Wellbeing, says:

 “This is set to be a destination play area and the council has been looking at play areas in other towns and cities for inspiration. I can’t wait to see what ideas the community come up with to help shape how the play area will look and what it will include.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.