Longwood Recreation Ground (Spark Street)

Consultation results

An initial design was developed in conjunction with local councillors. The design aims to make the play provision more appealing and accessible to all age groups by using a variety of play equipment types and natural play features.

A public consultation took place with the initial design to gather feedback back from the community - enabling us to meet the community's needs as much as possible. All feedback was analysed and suggestions for improvements to the design incorporated as much as possible before the final design was produced and agreed with local councillors.

The project at Longwood Recreation Ground has been split into two Phases due to the availability of funding

The first phase of the design will now be implemented on site:

• Retain whole fence to play area
• Swings reorientated due to fence being retained
• Swings reduced to basket swing bay and two seat bay (2 flats)
• Individual mini toddler swing added
• Seesaw replaced with Wheelchair seesaw, (this is different to the original one I sent to you, Heather as that was way to pricey)
• Multi-unit changed to all steel with slide to avoid ASB
• Smaller climber/agility unit added
• Half the site retained/topped up with bark, other half in Eco mulch for accessibility
• Path to lower field and link to lower entrance
• Repairs to steps at the top of site and handrail
• Repainting the entrance fence and Basketball post

Phase two of the improvements will include drainage improvement works to the football field and further improvements to the wider access to the site should more funding become available in the future.

About the site

Longwood Recreation Ground (Spark Street) is a community park, located in the Golcar. Kirklees Council has funding to improve this play area as part of the Kirklees Playable Spaces Strategy.

We aim to make the play provision at this site more appealing, and accessible to all age groups, by incorporating natural play with traditional play equipment, ensuring that our communities can enjoy the fantastic opportunities which play can bring.

Play in the outdoors has the potential to have a large and important role in a child's physical, social and cognitive development, it is also not reserved solely for children and young people. It should be encouraged at all stages of life, with many additional benefits experienced by individuals and communities.

Explanation and information about the new design

The new design will provide the following:

• Installation of a new Inclusive See Saw.
• Installation of a new Swing Set with Basket Swing.
• Installation of a new Inclusive Spinner.
• Installation of a New Multi-unit.
• Installation of new surfacing under the play equipment.
• Installation of a new bitmac pathway with playable line markings to encourage play.
• Installation of new goal posts.
• Existing inclusive unit to be refurbished and retained.
• Refurbish steps and change the handrail at the entrance near Spark Street.
• Refurbish and retain the basketball post.
• Refurbish and retain existing benches.
• Facilities for a wider age range.
• Extension of the footprint of play to provide more play opportunities on site.

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