Play parks scheme 'puts quality over quantity'

Stockton's Ropner Park is among the areas where play facilities will be maintained

An overhaul of an area's parks, which will see 11 play areas gradually close over the next decade, has been agreed by council leaders.

Stockton Borough Council, on Teesside, said it was putting "quality over quantity" with a new outdoor play strategy concentrating on 32 sites.

The authority says it cannot afford to refurbish or upgrade all its play areas, so it will not replace equipment in the "phased decommissioning and repurposing" of the 11 parks earmarked for closure while spending an additional £150,000 to maintain the others.

Labour councillor Nigel Cooke, cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture, described it as the best course of action given the limited funding available.

Explaining the plan had been informed by cross-party collaboration, he told a council meeting "a lot of listening" had been done with the aim being to "raise the quality of the play provision" across the area with investment targeted at places that need it most.

"Money is really, really tight, there's a lot of financial challenges ahead," he said.

"I think this is an affordable plan."

'Entertainment for children'

The sites to close are at Bullgarth, Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park and Romney Green in Billingham, Earls Meadow and Simonside in Ingleby Barwick, Bishopsgarth and Bowesfield in Stockton and Norton, Mary Street and South Thornaby in Thornaby, Long Newton and Thorpe Thewles.

However, the council, which is under no overall control, says it will engage with anybody who comes forward if they have a plan for funding and maintaining the facilities in the years ahead.

Meanwhile, new play areas will be installed at Mill Lane in Billingham, Norton South and Stockton Waterfront, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Independent councillor Ted Strike, who represents Ingleby Barwick North, told the meeting: "I don't think anybody wants to see play parks close.

"No matter how small, they provide entertainment for children.

"The smaller parks which are right on the doorstep of some of the residents will no doubt be greatly missed and I believe we should do everything in our power to keep them open."