An explosion of colour has been injected into a tired village playground by housing association bpha.
Following a consultation with local residents, bpha spent more than £30,000 on refurbishing the play area in Peach’s Close, Harrold.
Each year the housing association puts aside money to improve one of their 14 play areas, and this year Harrold was chosen after it was put forward by Home Agent Greg Cox.
The new playground was officially opened by three-year-old Haden Cox, on Tuesday, April 11 and has the following new features:
- A multi-coloured climbing frame
- A colourful bench
- A spring-based fire engine
- Hopscotch
- A fence around the play area
The previous swings, slide and floor were given a revamp and a lick of paint to give the play area a fresh and colourful feel.
Local resident Catherine Elworthy, of Herewelle Way, Harrold, said she will be visiting the newly refurbed play area with her two-year-old son and five-year-old daughter.
She said: “It’s brilliant and so much better. It’s perfect for the little ones. We used to walk through here every now and then, but now it’s here we will walk this way more often.”
Cllr Alison Field-Foster, who attended the opening, said: “I think it’s fantastic. I’m really pleased that bpha have done this.”
A resident who lives in Peach’s Close, opposite the playground, said: “It’s great when the children are playing and I can watch them through the window and I know they are safe. They love it and we appreciate the effort.”
Margaret Dodwell, bpha Interim Operations Director, said: “We have a budget to revamp a playground every year as they are important to our local communities and offer children a safe and fun place to play.
“The changes to the Peach’s Close playground are amazing and it now looks fresh, bright and inviting.”
