Following extensive work through Spring the fully refurbished play area on Dovecote Lane Recreation Ground in Beeston is now open!
Thanks to a £73,440 grant from funding body FCC Communities Foundation and a contribution of £5,000 from United Living (the Councils’ Housing Construction Partner) together with the Borough Council’s own funds as part of the Broxtowe Borough Council “Pride in Parks” initiative, the park has seen a £120,000 refurbishment.
The grant, awarded by FCC Communities Foundation, was used to completely refurbish the play area at Dovecote Lane Recreation Ground in Beeston with modern, exciting equipment, all set on a rubber safer surface making the area more accessible and available for play throughout the year.
Councillor Helen Skinner, Chair of the Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee believes the facility will make a big difference to the lives of people living in the area. Cllr Skinner said: “This project will provide a real boost to the community in Beeston, giving them a lovely refreshed space to enjoy playing outside. Thank you to the FCC Communities Foundation, who awarded us this funding to add to the United Living donation and our own budget. We’re really pleased our play area is open, and in good time for the long summer days and drier weather”.
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Cheryl Raynor, FCC Communities Foundation Local Grant Manager said, “We are delighted to have supported Broxtowe Borough Council in bringing this project to fruition. This is an important facility for local people in Beeston, and we are pleased to see it open and available to use”.
For more information about FCC Communities Foundation funding contact Cheryl Raynor at [email protected] or visit http://www.fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk
Councillor Skinner added, “The play area has been designed to incorporate play equipment and features that were asked for through extensive consultation with local people in summer 2020. The zip line adds excitement and the large wooden fort provides for more imaginative play, plus, we have chosen recycled materials where possible and safe to do so, making sure this park refurbishment is as environmentally-friendly as it can be”.
The parks team at Broxtowe Borough Council make every effort to ensure new construction projects are as eco-friendly as possible, to support the council’s Climate Change and Green Futures initiative. All the wood, concrete and steel from the old play area was taken away for recycling, the redundant bark surface was reused as a mulch and soil improver. In order to fill the old bark area, 300 tonnes of recycled stone from local demolition works was used.
The majority of the play equipment is made from recyclable materials and the main unit is made from Robinia wood, a very durable hardwood grown sustainably in Europe. Even the rubber surface is 70% recycled material, with the area using 30 tonnes of old car tyres, (which is around 3,000 old tyres recycled in total)!