As many villagers will be aware, Bere Regis (Elder Road) Play Park is in need of upgrade and replacement. The existing play park was installed in 2013 and cost £42,000. Much of this was covered by grants but the village raised nearly £4,000 through holding fund-raising events. All of the original play equipment was bespoke, and made of wood which, 13 years on and despite on-going repairs, has slowly rotted. A number of items have had to be removed for safety reasons. Thus it was decided that we need to look at a new play area – costs have increased very significantly since then but so has the variety of equipment available.
To this end, Councillors Hazell and Bardwell have taken on the task of reviewing the current play park and planning a replacement, primarily aimed at Challenge and Adventure for ages up to 11/12.
If we are to upgrade and replace the Play Park with one that lasts more than 25 years, we will need to raise approximately £200,000.
Councillors have visited a number of Play Parks, consulted with other Parish Councils and play park providers and four prospective suppliers (who have all visited the site). We feel we have now got to the point where we can begin the detailed planning of the new facility, by involving the School, children, parents, Bere Regis residents and any other interested parties in the final design and raising the required funds.
Information will be available at the School Summer Fayre on July 4th at 3.15 – you will be able to see some ideas on possible equipment from one of the suppliers, have a say on what you think is the best equipment, any ideas to add and of course an opportunity to sign up to help in any way, especially helping raise money.
To succeed in getting the Play Park that Bere Regis children deserve, we will all need to help out in raising the money. Be it setting up events, helping at events, proposing ideas to raise money or finding sponsors who will contribute to the whole Play Park funding, or focus on a specific piece of equipment.
As a village, we have achieved this before (more than once) and we can do it again!
Please feel free to contact by email – k.hazell@bereregisparishcouncil.gov.uk – if you have any questions, ways to help or would like to get involved in any way.