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Council funding helps give popular Notts play park new look

A park in the heart of a Nottinghamshire community has received a fresh new look so that even more children and families can enjoy its facilities for years to come.

Gringley on the Hill play park, near Misterton in Bassetlaw, now boasts an upgraded activity area with new equipment  following the completion of a £40,000 improvement scheme.

The park now features a multi-play climbing frame, zip wire, roundabout and even talking flowers – which help can develop  language and creativity for children outdoors.

Nottinghamshire County Council contributed £19,000 towards the project, the majority coming from its Local Communities Fund. This was backed by a range of fellow funders  which includes The National Lottery (£10,000) and Gringley on the Hill Parish Council (£6,000) 

Funds were further boosted thanks to a residents’ GoFundMe campaign and donations from three local businesses – Appleton Therapies, Vac-Ex Ltd and Truck Hydraulics Ltd.  

Councillor John Cottee, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “I am delighted  that money from the Local Communities Fund has been used to support this project. 

“This is a great example of collaborative working at its very best, with partners such as the National Lottery and private business showing what can be achieved through a partnership approach.

“The Local Communities Fund was launched a couple of years ago to support projects that demonstrate a positive impact on communities and are helping people to live healthier, more active lives.”

A celebration event to mark the improvements was held at the village ( Saturday  3 June) which was well-attended by the community.

Councillor Tracey Taylor, who is the county councillor for the Misterton division, said the improvements to the play area had been long-awaited and paid tribute to the community for its involvement with the project.

Attending the celebration event she said, “This is a valued and popular village facility, which desperately needed investment in new equipment to support a wider age range of children. 

“A partnership team of parent volunteers and parish councillors were committed to improving facilities for the children and families of this village, and they have worked conscientiously throughout the past two years or more.

“Families have waited patiently for this change in Gringley on the Hill and I’m thrilled  that all their hard work has been rewarded. It shows true community spirit  ”

Ian Le-Fevre, Chair of Gringley on the Hill Parish Council explains that through various grants, corporate sponsorship and village donations,  new playground equipment was purchased for  for the community.  He said, 

“ We’re extremely happy as our objective was to replace the old and under-utilised equipment with new pieces that offered a broader appeal to a wider range of children and teenagers in the village giving them a reason to put down tech devices and get out in the fresh air to play with others.”

Local parent, Anna Gibson added, 

“The updated play equipment is really appreciated by my children and many others in the village.  There is now equipment for children of a wider age range to use.  My eldest daughter really enjoys whizzing along the zip-wire!  

“It is great to see the younger children really loving the challenges a modern climbing frame offers them; using their balance and co-ordination to master getting from one section to the next.  

“There is a real sense of reinvigoration of the park, and this has brought lots of children back to benefit from all it has to offer. My children love meeting their friends here, which can only be a great thing for their wellbeing and fitness.  A big thank you to all involved for upgrading our lovely park for us all to enjoy for years to come.”

The full list of contributors to these improvements are as follows: Nottinghamshire County Council (£19,000) The National Lottery (£10,000) and Gringley on the Hill Parish Council (£6,000) Igas Energy Community Fund (£2,000) Doncaster Sheffield Airport Community Investment Fund (£1,500)Vac-Ex Exports (£1,000) Truck Hydraulics Ltd (£1,000) Go Fund Me, village contributions (£990)  Bassetlaw District Council (£600)  Councillor Taylor’s councillors’ divisional fund (£400) and Appleton Therapies ( £100)

Front row left to right is : Rosie Hughes (local resident) Ian Le- Ferve (parish councillor) and Rachael Armstrong (local resident). 
Back row left to right: Orla Hughes (5), Felicity Armstrong (5), Elliott Armstrong (11), Finn Hughes (9) and Henry Armstrong (7).