SIDCUP: Transformation of park is well under way (From News Shopper)

SIDCUP: Transformation of park is well under way

7:22pm Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

BEXLEY’S newest park has opened its gates, following a multi-thousand pound makeover.

People from across the borough secured the £400,000 cash for Parish Wood Park in Blackfen, by lodging the largest number of votes in south-east London for Mayor Boris Johnson’s Help a London Park scheme last year.

Now the second phase of the transformation of the park has been completed.

The park’s existing ballcourt has been refurbished, and two large wooden climbing structures with slides and cargo nets have been installed.

A spinning disc-style roundabout, large swings which can accomodate a single child or a group of children and play tunnels make up the rest of the playground’s new play equipment.

As well as the Help a London Park cash, there was cash for the playground from the government’s Playbuilder scheme and the Big Lottery.

The first phase of the transformation began earlier this year with a new entrance and gate after swopping some woodland for land at the adjacent Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School.

With the playground work completed, the park will stay open for the rest of the summer and early autumn, before closing again so the final phase of the work can start.

This will include most of the environmental elements, with improvements to the River Shuttle to create a more natural shape, the creation of a new wetland habitat with a dipping platform, landscaping and tree planting, new seating and all-weather paths with new signage.

Mr Johnson said: "It is fantastic that this new playground has opened while kids are on their school holidays.

“They can enjoy the great new facilities which local people helped make a reality by voting for Parish Wood Park to get an injection of funds."