Children Invited to Come out and Play at Stoke Poges

Thanks to South Bucks District and Stoke Poges Parish Councils children in Stoke Poges are now enjoying a new playground in the Stoke Poges Recreation Ground, off Bells Hill. The Honourable Dominic Grieve MP will formally open the new playground at 1pm on 18th June 2011.

As part of the celebrations people are invited to attend a community picnic with their own tables, chairs & rugs as well as a picnic. The Village Fete Committee will be providing a bar, and the Scouts a barbeque.

South Bucks District Council and Stoke Poges Parish Council have worked together to develop and install the playground, which provides new play equipment for the 8 – 13 age group with an emphasis on using natural materials such as wooden climbing equipment and landscaping. This is the first new play equipment in Stoke Poges for approximately 30 years.

The equipment includes a climbing frame with netting, swings, aerial runway, seats, timber balancing logs, boulders and grass mounds with tunnel, safety surfacing and pathways.

Funding for the playground was obtained from the Department for Education. Nearly £150,000 was allocated by the Government for the construction of 3 new playgrounds in South Bucks district. This funding is part of the Government’s ‘Playbuilder’ £234m investment in play, as part of the national play strategy launched in April 2008.

The terms of the grant required the play areas to follow Play England’s guidance, Design for Play, which includes design principles such as using natural materials (wooden equipment as well as other natural features such as landscaping and rocks), that are bespoke to the location, and that offer reasonable challenge and risk.

Councillor Anita Cranmer, South Bucks District Council Portfolio Holder for Community, says, ‘the funding from the Department for Education has really increased the opportunities for young people’s play throughout South Bucks, including this latest playground at Stoke Poges. We are excited to be able to provide these new play areas which will really improve the provision for young people in the area and inspire local children to get out into their local parks and play areas and have fun being active.’

For more information on the play area please contact Landscape Officer on 01895 837321.