Play areas set for upgrades as £600k funding allocated

There are 24 eligible parks in the county

Parks in rural parts of Wiltshire could be upgraded with a funding boost of more than £600,000.

Wiltshire Council has set aside £603,000 to improve 24 parks and play facilities in villages across the county.

The local authority wants communities and parish councils to take them on and run them with the extra money.

Eligible parks include Lacock Gardens in Hilperton, Old School Close in Netheravon, and Shawgrove in Great Bedwyn.

Four play areas in Staverton and two in Collingbourne Ducis could also be upgraded.

the council said funding for communities will be allocated based on an assessment and parish councils can request the equipment is upgraded first before the parks are transferred to them.

Councillor Tamara Reay said: “We are writing to all rural parish councils that currently have a Wiltshire Council play area to offer them the opportunity to improve the facility using these funds, and then to take on the running of the park through an asset transfer agreement.

“This has the dual benefit of upgrading these play areas with brand new equipment, while also enabling local communities, through their parish council, to have more say on how these play areas are run in the future to ensure they reflect the needs of the people who live there."