Designs for the refurb of one of Brighton’s biggest playgrounds have finally been revealed, weeks before work is due to start.
The revamp of Queen’s Park was originally scheduled to take place in 2021-22 – but works were put back after the Friends of Queen’s Park requested a consultation, and offered to fundraise to increase the £146,000 budget.
The consultation took place in November 2021 – but the scheme was then hit by further delays in awarding a contract.
Now, park users can finally see details of the proposed new play equipment at two new consultation events tomorrow afternoon and this Saturday morning.
The plans, which have also been published by the Friends of Queen’s Park (FOQP), show replacements for half the playground’s equipment.
The FOQP says the rest of the play area will remain open while the works take place. They are expected to start in mid-July and last for four weeks.
The playground was given the biggest budget of any in Brighton and Hove City Council’s £3 million programme to improve park play areas.
So far, 23 of the 45 parks set to benefit have now been refurbished. Work on Hollingdean Park, Woodingdean Central Park, Whitehawk Way, Knoll Park, Woollard’s Field (Maggie’s Corner), Saltdean Oval Park and Rottingdean Recreation Park will continue over the summer months.
The work is expected to be finished by winter this year.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, the new Labour chair of the council’s Environment, South Downs and the Sea Committee, said: “From mid-July, we will begin work to improve more of the city’s play areas, starting with a brilliant, inclusive new play area for Queen’s Park.
“The parks team have worked closely with the Friends of Queen’s Park on the plans, and I know how highly anticipated this new play area has been.
“Please do come along to one of the community update sessions we’re holding in the park on Wednesday 31 May and Friday 2 June next week.
“The new equipment is bright, fun and accessible, welcoming all children and young people to play and enjoy themselves.
“It’s brilliant to see plans for Hollingdean Park include a fitness area with gym equipment which we hope will promote healthier and more active lifestyles in the local community.”
The council has provided some of the funding, with money also coming from the Housing Revenue Account – or tenants’ rents – and the rest through “section 106” money, or developer’s contributions. Section 106 money comes from those building local developments to help pay for community and social infrastructure.
Playgrounds already completed include Carden Hill, Easthill Park and Preston Park, where refurbishments have dramatically improved play opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Wild Park was completely refurbished in 2023 with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a multi-use games area (MUGA) that incorporates football, basketball and two mini five-a-side football pitches, a running track on the outside and a bright and colourful chill out area.
Consultations on the next round of refurbishments will take place
- Queen’s Park, Wednesday 31 May 2pm to 4pm and Saturday 3 June 10am – 12 noon
- Woollard’s Field (Maggie’s Corner), Friday 2 June 10am to 11.30am
- Rottingdean Recreation Ground, Friday 2 June 1pm to 2.30pm
- Saltdean Oval Park, Friday 2 June 3pm to 4.30pm
- Knoll Park, Wednesday 31 May 11am to 1pm
- Whitehawk Way, Tuesday 30 May 10am to 12 noon and Friday 2 June 10am to 12 noon
- Hollingdean Park, Tuesday 30 May 2pm to 4pm and Saturday 3 June 2pm to 4pm
- Woodingdean Central Park, Wednesday 31 May 10am to 12 noon and Tuesday 6 June 2.30pm to 4.30pm
The community update sessions are being held in the play areas of each park.
The plans for Queen’s Park Play Area include two bespoke multi-play structures and 10 new pieces of innovative play equipment for all ages and abilities to enjoy, learn and play together.
This includes playground equipment such as springer bowls, wide access ramps and a tipi carousel with a top brace, which aim to welcome children with mobility issues to join in.
The surrounding nature and wildlife of Queen’s Park has inspired the playground design and the chosen playground equipment will complement the park’s natural landscape.
The largest individual playground refurbishment in this phase of the programme is Hollingdean Park.
The plans include a fully inclusive wheelchair-accessible multi-play unit and outdoor fitness area with multi-use gym equipment.
The council said that it was also increasing the seating for parents and carers with amphitheatre-style seating around the existing slope of the playground and an additional seating zone with space for parking prams and pushchairs.
As well as being focused on accessibility, the proposals for each park include strong elements of sustainability.
The new play equipment at Knoll Park and Saltdean Oval Park include equipment made from ocean, textile and plastic waste and items collected from the sea such as fishing nets, ropes and trawls.
The next park that the council plans to revamp is Hollingbury Park and it’s started a consultation asking for ideas which runs until Friday 30 June. Click here to take part.
It is really nice to see parks being given some TLC and definitely a project BHCC can be proud of.
What about the other half? The part of the playground not pictured, is in just as sorry a state as the other half – AKA unusable – and what bright spark decided the summer holidays was the time to do it?
Also why has the news not covered the super secret legal reason why this has been delayed so many times?