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Play area set to reopen after almost three years

Alex Pope
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Stevenage Borough Council A play area in front of a block of flats. There is a blue floor, trees in the background and a wooden pirate ship. There is play equipment in front of the ship, with orange and white fish, painted on the front. A blue crab also features to the left on equipment. Stevenage Borough Council
The revamped play area includes a bespoke pirate ship

A refurbished play area is set to reopen after it had been closed for nearly three years.

The site, in Stevenage's Town Centre Gardens, was shut in the summer of 2022 due to safety issues with the flooring.

The updated £250,000 facility, which will officially reopen on Monday, was designed to be inclusive for children of all abilities up to the age of 16.

Stevenage Borough Council thanked everyone for their patience while it was shut.

Stevenage Borough Council An aerial photo of an updated play area, showing a pirate ship, climbing apparatus, a zip-line, a swing frame, and blue flooring, around grass areas. A block of flats if behind the play area, where cars are parked, and trees are behind the area too. Stevenage Borough Council
The officially opening will take place from 11:00 GMT on Monday

The council previously said it collaborated with the charity Make Space for Girls to get "the design right".

The new equipment included a group swing, activity trail, trampoline, an inclusive roundabout, and a bespoke pirate ship.

The council said it worked with local children, young people, and pupils from Broom Barns Primary School to choose five items of play equipment they wanted to see.

An open day will launch at 11:00 GMT on Monday.

Councillor Simon Speller, Labour cabinet member for environment, said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the play area at Town Centre Gardens was closed.

"This is a popular and well-used site, and we wanted to make sure that the refurbished play area could be used and loved by children for years to come.

"I am delighted to see the project come to fruition and hope that the new play area is enjoyed by families now and in the future."

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