An unused part of Stratford Recreation Ground is set to be transformed into a new play area and a cycle training track in a bid to get children more active.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council will build the new attractions on an area of the Recreation Ground near to the Tramway footpath, and is expected to be open for use by the end of March.
The play area will be aimed at children aged between seven and 14, and will be built out of 100 per cent Robinia timber for a more natural look compared to metal or plastic.
It will incorporate a 30m zipwire, a group swing, a climbing unit with a bridge, totem poles, and a fast 'embankment slide' which can be accessed from the Tramway.
And the cycle track will feature imitations of pedestrian crossings, roundabouts and other road features to enable children to learn the basics of cycling in a safe environment.
Contractors have been appointed and are due to start work on both the play area and the cycle track in March.
The work is part of the wider Riverside Green Corridor Project, which aims to help Stratford's economy recover post-Covid by reducing traffic congestion, providing green routes into the town centre, and revitalising the riverside area.
Cllr Ian Shenton, Portfolio Holder for Operations at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "We're really looking forward to starting work on the new play area and cycle track.
"We realised that there wasn't a lot of provision for older children in Stratford. Although there's already a play area in the Recreation Ground, it's predominately for children aged between two and six.
"So we're excited to give older children a fantastic new playground for them to enjoy, whether they're local to Stratford or visiting with their family and friends.
"We also think the cycle track will be a great way for children learning to ride a bike to get the basics of cycling mastered without having to go onto roads initially.
"Both of these projects all tie into the Riverside Green Corridor Project, which will really enhance the space and encourage more people into Stratford town centre while easing congestion too.
"When the situation with COVID-19 improves, I hope plenty of children will enjoy the new facilities."
The Riverside Green Corridor Project has been provided with £1.5 million of funding from the Government's Getting Building Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) to help make the project a reality.
It will connect the riverside from the north at Fisherman's Car Park to Lucy's Mill to the south, creating a natural green corridor along the River Avon.
Tony Minhas, a board director at the CWLEP, added: "This part of the Riverside Green Corridor project will provide high-quality play equipment for children to enjoy as part of the plans to provide recreation space.
"The Riverside Green Corridor scheme will also revitalise the river frontage, and provide a high-quality public realm, new green routes into town, reduce congestion, encourage more walking and cycling and improve air quality which will all help to boost the economy in the town."
Getting Building Fund
On 4 August 2020, the government confirmed the list of over 300 successful projects which will receive a share of £900 million from the Getting Building Fund.
The full list of projects is available on GOV.UK.
The Getting Building Fund is investing in shovel-ready infrastructure projects to create jobs and support economic recovery across the country. Projects funded include:
- regeneration of town and city centres
- green infrastructure and clean energy
- transport and digital connectivity improvements
- unlocking of housing and business sites
- support for SMEs and learners
The successful projects (over 300) are expected to deliver up to 85,000 jobs, over 1,500,000 sqm of commercial floor space, unlocking 45,000 homes, almost 1,000,000 sqm of public realm or green space improved or created, over 50,000 new learners assisted, and 65 million kgs of CO2 emissions saved.
All projects have been selected by Local Enterprise Partnerships and Mayoral Combined Authorities in each area and endorsed by the Housing Secretary.
Midlands Engine
Some Midlands Engine key facts:
- The Midlands Engine is home to over 10.3m people and has a £238bn economy, generating over 12% of the UK's Gross Value Added.[1] The Midland Engine Partnership aims to close the productivity gap to match or exceed the national average by 2030.
- The Midlands is home to 835,000 businesses, and in 2019, the Midlands accounted for a 22% share of all of England's goods exports.
