Articles

New play area for Carlton park

Date Posted: 10:33 AM on Thu, 17 October 2024

New £100k play area to be installed at Valley Road Recreation Ground

Valley Road Recreation Ground in Carlton will soon be improved thanks to funding from FCC Communities Foundation, a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by waste and resource management company FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund. FCC Communities Foundation will be providing a grant total of £100,000.

The improvements will see some of the existing equipment and flooring refurbished as well as new play area equipment installed, complete with 30m zip line, swings, monkey bars, as well as a number of accessible and inclusive facilities including a wheelchair accessible seesaw, two DDA compliant trampolines, a basket swing and play panels.

Works on the park are due to start in the new year and are expected to take around six weeks to complete. The existing play area will be closed whilst works are carried out.

The bid for funding was made in partnership with Gedling Borough Council and the Friends of Valley Road group and included a consultation with local school children at Westdale Infant School and local residents about the equipment they would want in the park.

The park is leased to Gedling Borough Council by Nottinghamshire County Council who also supported the council and Friends group with the successful bid.

Penny Horne, spokesperson for FCC Communities Foundation, said;

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Carlton - Valley Road Recreation Ground Play Area Refurbishment project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families within the area. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”

Marie Spinks, Chair of the Friends of Valley Road group said;

"Since the group started in May 2022, we have worked really hard to get this funding.  We are so excited and from seeing all the children who came along to the summer fair we know how much difference it will make. The help from Gedling council was invaluable as well as support from all the local councillors. We are really pleased with all the new equipment and that the tractor will get a paint job!"

Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat said;

“I’m incredibly pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with the local community to bring these major improvements to Valley Road. The plans for the new facilities look fantastic and I’m sure the new play area will be very much welcomed by the local community. I’d like to thank the Friends of Valley Road for working with us on the application, and to FCC Communities Foundation for providing the funding to make this project a reality.” 

For more information about FCC Communities Foundation funding visit www.fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk