Park's £3m revamp with parkour course revealed

Merstham Recreation Ground's facilities also include a new cafe, pavilion, and outdoor gym

A Surrey park's £3m revamp including a new playground, parkour course and community orchard has been revealed.

Merstham recreation ground's facilities also include a new cafe, pavilion, and outdoor gym.

The project has been funded by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (RBBC), Surrey County Council, Community Infrastructure Levy funds, the National Lottery and the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The borough council says it hopes the pavilion, with a cafe kiosk, toilets and changing rooms, will become a new place to meet, as well as providing better facilities for sports teams.

A new play area is also included

The council is still looking for an operator to take over the running of the cafe.

It worked with a specialist supplier to create the parkour course, which it said was the first in the borough, with a range of obstacles to run, jump, vault and climb on.

RBBC's deputy leader and executive member for place, planning and regulatory services, Rich Michalowski, says: "It's really exciting to see the plans we talked about with the community come to fruition."

He said the new park had "something for everyone" and that designs were developed with input from residents, sports organisations and local groups at various stages along the way.

Existing tennis courts and games areas were also refurbished, with new surfacing and fencing.

Merstham resident Sue Reeves, said: "This revamp of the rec is going to be wonderful for Merstham.

"All the new facilities will make the rec so inviting for users of all ages."

The redesign is expected to reduce flooding in and around the rec with upgrades made to the water channel creating a gravel beach, meadows and wet planting.

This will be fenced off for the first year to give the new plants the opportunity to establish themselves, the council says.