Tod's Piece playground in Uppingham will get a £50,000 investment in new equipment
Parents are hoping a £50,000 investment in playground equipment will allow them to make better use of their local park.
Many families currently travel out of Uppingham to village playgrounds because the equipment at Tod’s Piece isn’t up to scratch.
But Uppingham Town Council has secured a £50,000 grant which it hopes will bring a much-needed boost to the playground.
Families are particularly keen for the equipment to be enclosed in one area so they can keep a closer eye on children of all ages.
Parent Hürtin Prüe added: “I would definitely like to see more integration between the play equipment for toddlers and older kids. Parents can’t be in two places at once.”
The town council secured the money from the FCC Communities Foundation. It will be used to improve the all-weather surface and install new play equipment.
The town council worked with the community last summer to design ideas for the new play area and the plans were due to be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday evening this week.
It is hoped work will start in the spring and the equipment will be ready to use in the school summer holidays.
Uppingham mayor David Casewell said: “This project will provide a real boost to the people of Uppingham. We are really looking forward to the improvements to our play area taking shape.”
Grant manager for FCC Community Foundations, Cheryl Raynor, added: “We are delighted to be supporting the town council to bring this project to fruition. This is a fantastic facility for children and we look forward to work starting soon."
Despite welcoming the investment, parents have called for antisocial behaviour in the park to be addressed.
Georgina Glaze said: “It is only going to make a difference if people stop allowing their dogs to poo there. It’s the biggest reason we rarely go to the park.”
Parent Kim Stuart-Jones added: “It would be lovely to make this an area with up-to-date play equipment and facilities for all.
“My children are 11 and 12 but I wouldn’t let them go unattended because I worry about antisocial behaviour and drug issues.
“It would be a real shame to spend a lot of money if this issue wasn’t tackled.”