Waverley Borough Council is delighted to announce the successful completion of its comprehensive playground refurbishment programme, delivering exciting, inclusive, and modern play spaces for children and families across the borough.
The programme began with the refurbishment of Sandy Hill Playground in Farnham, which officially reopened earlier this year. The project was shaped by community feedback, with particular attention given to the needs of neurodiverse children. As a result, the new playground includes specially selected equipment designed to stimulate and support a range of sensory needs.
In March, work commenced at Baldreys Play Area in Farnham and Hascombe Play Area. These refurbishments were largely funded through the council's capital playground refurbishments budget, with additional support for Baldreys from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Both projects followed Waverley's two-stage public consultation process, allowing residents to suggest equipment and vote on their preferred designs - ensuring the final playgrounds reflect the community's vision.
The final phase of the programme took place at Longbourne Green Play Area in Godalming, where refurbishment began after the Easter holidays and the site reopened in early June. This project was partly funded through Section 106 developer contributions and benefited from the council's inclusive consultation approach.
Councillor Steve Williams, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
"We're thrilled to see these fantastic new play areas open and being enjoyed by local families. By involving the community at every stage - from design ideas to final selection - we've created spaces that truly reflect local needs. I'm especially proud of the inclusive features at Sandy Hill, which show our commitment to making play accessible for all children.
"The council's two-stage consultation process not only ensures that specialist needs are identified early on but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride within the community. These new playgrounds are a testament to what can be achieved when councils and communities work together."
For more information about the Sandy Hill refurbishment, visit: Refurbished Sandy Hill Playground Opens | Waverley Borough Council.
Image: From left to right: Gemma Few (eibe Play Ltd), Andy Fernandez (Waverley Borough Council), Surrey County Councillor Catherine Powell and her mother, Mary Jones, Jo Goodhew (Hale Community Centre), Melissa Salisbury (Hale Community Centre), Aspen Salisbury (Hale Community Centre), Melissa Ellenden (Sandy Hill Inclusive Partnership