Playground refurbishment programme
Get the latest updates on our playground refurbishment plans.
About the playground refurbishment programme
In 2021 we started a major £3 million refurbishment programme for the city’s play areas.
The focus of our programme was to provide inclusive and accessible play areas and ensure they can be enjoyed by children of all ages and abilities for many years to come
Between 2021 and 2024, 45 sites have been fully or partially refurbished.
We are continuing to work hard to make all our play areas safe, exciting and enjoyable places to visit and play.
Read the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee report for more information on the programme.
Preparation work for the playground refurbishment programme
To prepare for the improvement work, we carried out thorough assessments of each of the city’s play parks to:
- check for ongoing safety issues
- ensure that they offer the best possible play value we can provide and maintain with the resources we have.
As a result of these checks, in some parks we removed equipment had reached the end of its life or was unsafe.
Phase 1
In Phase 1 of our Playground Refurbishment Programme we spent more than £3.7 million in Section 106 funding on improving facilities for children across the city, from Saltdean Oval and Rottingdean Recreation Ground, to Queens Park, Hollingdean Park, Carden Park and St Ann’s Well Gardens.
Several other playground improvement schemes have been also been funded by our housing and Cityparks departments through the programme. These include refurbishments that have dramatically improved play opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Phase 2
In Phase 2 we have spent a further £1.6 million of Section 106 contributions on local playgrounds, outdoor play and fitness provision.
Recently completed and ongoing works include:
- Hove Park Play Area (Phase 2): continuation of the playground refurbishment – completed in February 2025
- Preston Park Outdoor Fitness Area: new outdoor fitness area – completed in 2024
- Preston Park Wheelchair Swing: fully inclusive wheelchair accessible swing – completed in 2024
- Queens Park Play Area (Phase 2): continuation of the playground refurbishment – completed in December 2024
- Victoria Recreation Ground/Park: new outdoor fitness area- completed in 2024
- Wish Park Outdoor Gym: funded by 106 developers funding and Veolia Grant- completed in 2024
- Wild Park Adventure Play Area : play provision for older children & young adults – under construction
- Stanmer Park Accessible Play Area : creation of a fully accessible destination play space, with wheelchair accessible swing – in procurement
- A proposed Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Saltdean: this will be part-funded by community contributions including local charity PARC and the Local Action Team – pending procurement
Consulting residents
Proposals for all play areas and outdoor gyms, have been shaped by residents who responded to consultations on the council’s website.
About section 106
Section 106 agreements are made to ensure that development in Brighton & Hove provides local improvements which will benefit both residents and the existing community.
The agreements, made between developers and the council’s planning service, are an undertaking to provide work, or financial contributions, to improve the facilities or the infrastructure in the area where the building is taking place.
The level of contributions is set to reflect the type and size of the new development and its impact on the local environment.
Decisions on how to spend Section 106 funding are made by council committees, and projects can range from transport improvements and travel initiatives to community and recreation facilities, education, health and affordable housing.