Next phase of £3 million playground revamp begins this summer

Exciting refurbishments begin on 8 playgrounds across the city this summer.

The refurbishments are the next phase in our £3 million programme to improve park play areas in Brighton & Hove.

The focus of the programme is to provide inclusive and accessible play areas that can be enjoyed by everyone.

In total, 45 parks in Brighton & Hove are benefiting from the funding, with 23 parks already refurbished and being enjoyed by children and young people across the city.

The funding is provided through Section 106 from local developments for community and social infrastructure, the Housing Revenue Account and council funding.

Coming soon to a park near you

The refurbishment work will begin mid-July on Queens Park Play Area.

Work on Queens Park, Hollingdean Park, Woodingdean Central Park, Whitehawk Way, Knoll Park, Woollards 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.

Some of the playgrounds may need to be closed during the summer school holidays, but we’ll be doing our best to minimise disruption as much as possible.

This is to ensure the weather doesn’t impact the installation of new equipment and new safety surfaces being laid.  

Play areas for everyone in the city

The first phase of the playground project saw a total of 23 parks completed last year.

These 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.

Extensive local consultation

Residents and ‘friends of’ groups have had the opportunity to share their views through extensive local consultation for each park and play area.

Their feedback has helped us identify improvements and establish the most sought-after equipment.

Come and see what we have planned

Come along and see what we have planned for each park play area at one of our community update sessions:

• Queens Park, Wednesday 31 May 2pm - 4pm and Saturday 3 June 10am - 12 noon
• Woollards Field (Maggie’s Corner), Friday 2 June 10am - 11.30am
• Rottingdean Recreation Ground, Friday 2 June 1pm - 2.30pm
• Saltdean Oval Park, Friday 2 June 3pm - 4.30pm
• Knoll Park, Wednesday 31 May 11am - 1pm
• Whitehawk Way, Tuesday 30 May 10am - 12 noon and Friday 2 June 10am - 12 noon
• Hollingdean Park, Tuesday 30 May 2pm - 4pm and Saturday 3 June 2pm - 4pm
• Woodingdean Central Park, Wednesday 31 May 10am - 12 noon and Tuesday 6 June 2.30pm - 4.30pm

The community update sessions are being held in the play areas of each park.

Queens Park Play Area

The exciting plans for Queens 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 Queens Park has inspired the playground design and the chosen playground equipment will complement the park’s natural landscape.

Hollingdean Park Play Area

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, MUGA and outdoor fitness area with multi-use gym equipment.

We’re 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.

Sustainability in our parks

As well as being focussed 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 future of Hollingbury Park

The next park we’re looking to revamp is Hollingbury Park.

We’d love to hear from you what improvements you think can be made to create a dynamic space that suits a wide range of physical and sensory needs.

Your opinions will shape the future of Hollingbury Park.

To make sure your views are heard, please complete our short online Hollingbury Park Play Area Consultation.

The consultation is expected to open on 26 May and will run until 30 June.

Bright, fun and accessible park play areas

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the City 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 Queens Park.

“The parks team have worked closely with the Friends of Queens 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 31 May and 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.”