Residents invited to help shape £250,000 play parks plan at Deeping St Nicholas and Hop Pole

Residents are being encouraged to have their say on how a £250,000 play park scheme should take shape.

A public consultation is being held to discuss plans for three areas in Deeping St Nicholas and Hop Pole later this month.

And parish council vice-chairman Rob Jarvis is encouraging villagers to help mould how these public areas will look.

“It’s exciting times for the parish and we want everyone to let us know what they want,” he said.

“We want people to turn up and tell us what they’d like to see. We want everybody, all ages, to come and have a say.

“The future is in the public’s hands.”

Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council have previously revealed plans to transform three parks in the area - Littleworth Park and Hop Pole Park on the A1175 as well as St Nicholas Park, which is situated off Haywain Drive.

It was hoped the play area at Campain’s Lane could also be given a makeover, but that is currently off the agenda as it is privately-owned land.

A fundraiser has been commissioned to help apply for grants to meet the £250,000 target.

The council expects at least £175,000 to be raised.

“If the full amount isn’t raised we’ll just keep on fundraising,” Coun Jarvis added.”

At present, initial plans for Littleworth Park include a £100,000 floodlit MUGA (multi-use games area) which could be used for football, tennis, basketball, netball and cricket, as well as play equipment.

It is also hoped the Hop Pole Park will have exercise equipment, swings, climbing frame and picnic benches, while councillors would like to see a zip wire, climbing frames, benches, picnic tables and ball wall among the attractions at St Nicholas Park.

Each park plans to have equipment for youngsters aged from toddlers to teens.

“The fun that’s going to give the kids is out of this world,” Coun Jarvis added.

The consultation event will be held at Deeping St Nicholas Primary School between 3pm and 6pm tomorrow (Saturday, October 19).