Play area closed for two years set for £250k revamp

The charity Make Space for Girls worked with the council on the design

Work to refurbish a play area that has been closed for two years is set to begin.

The play area in Stevenage's Town Centre Gardens was shut in the summer of 2022 due to safety issue with the flooring.

It is due to reopen in January after a £250,000 refurbishment, aimed at making it "inclusive" for children of all abilities up to the age of 11.

Stevenage Borough Council said it collaborated with the charity Make Space for Girls to get "the design right".

The play area will include a group swing, activity trail, trampoline, inclusive roundabout and a bespoke pirate ship.

The council said it worked on the design with local residents and children at Broom Barns Primary School, with most of the items they requested being installed.

Simon Speller, Labour cabinet member for environment, said: "We know how popular and well used this site is, and we wanted to make sure that we got the design right.

"Play is crucial to build active and healthy communities, and this new play area will ensure that imagination and play continue to thrive in Stevenage."