Work Starts On Exciting New Play Facilities

An innovative new play area is on the way for Pencester Gardens in Dover, with work on exciting facilities set to begin today (Monday, 21 April). The new facilities follow a successful £257,702 bid to the Big Lottery Fund's Children's Play Programme.

Modern facilities will include themed areas built to encourage creative play, and will feature landscaped design and structured equipment. The Pencester Gardens area will include a castle theme and a zip wire feature, whilst an additional project in Marke Wood in Walmer includes a multi-use climbing frame and a special circular story-telling area.

The work is being funded by BIG's Children's Play Programme, with Dover District Council. Designs for the play areas were agreed following extensive public consultation and it is anticipated work will be completed by the end of June.

This follows news of the planning approval for a major state-of-the-art concrete skate park at Victoria Park in Deal, substantially funded by Kent County Council, with additional funding from the Big Lottery Fund and DDC. It is anticipated this will be completed by the end of summer. Youngsters in Sandwich were also given a boost earlier this year with new play equipment funded by DDC at the Butts.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management, said: "These exciting new inclusive facilities for Dover and Walmer will provide a great space for children to play, and are an important part of our ongoing commitment to improve strategic sites across the area, in keeping with the District Play Strategy."

Cllr Mrs Sue Nicholas, Cabinet Member for Community, said: "We continue to work hard to provide modern play facilities for the district, and are very pleased to see these major new play areas being developed for the future of our communities."