Works have started on a £150,000 refurbishment programme at the Woodlands Park play area in Gravesend.

The old one-acre site, which has been there for more than half a century, is being demolished and rebuilt after its facilities have fallen into disarray.

Set in the north west corner of the 15-acre park off Wrotham Road, the design for the new play site includes areas for both younger and older children, including an accessible roundabout, steel cableway, ground trampoline, basket seat swing, rope swing, adventure trail and multi-play slide units.

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The park is expected to be open by the end of June just in time for summer

However, the council has confirmed that there are no plans to rebuild the cafe that burnt down in September 2011.

A contract for an ice cream vendor has been awarded in its place, although exact visiting times to the park by the seller haven’t been confirmed.

Speaking to News Shopper about the new development, Mrs Gemma Thomson, 27 of Portland avenue, said: “I'm looking forward to having a safe place for my children to play in.

“I'd love the cafe to come back too because of safety, first aid and somewhere to get a nice drink - it also opens up a new job.”

Deniece Hardy, 35, of Ridgeway Avenue, added: “We definitely need a cafe and decent toilets.

“A water park is a great idea but who would maintain it? 
“Bring back a park ranger I say. 

“When someone takes ownership for a project it's much more than a job it's a passion and it would be cost effective.” 

Prior to the redevelopment works, reports of graffiti, trash and empty gas canisters used to inhale laughing gas were commonplace, attracting all forms of anti-social behaviour to the area. 

In order to rectify this problem the council hopes that the inclusivity of the new play area will discourage such vandalism in the future. 

The play site is now closed to allow work to begin but it is expected to be open by the end of June - ice cream is still available for sale, the council has confirmed. 

The most up to date Open Spaces Survey confirmed that the previous facilities in the park were in a poor condition and offered very limited “play value” for young people. 

The council has commissioned Wicksteed Leisure to install the new equipment while further funding has been committed to improving the toilet block which is anticipated to be completed later in the year.

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