Vision for future of play areas

Creating exciting and challenging play areas, accessible to young people of all ages and abilities, is the vision of a new 10-year strategy for the Folkestone and Hythe district.

Residents are being invited to have their say on the strategy proposing further flagship play areas like those at Folkestone’s Radnor Park and the Lower Leas Coastal Park which, along with the Brockhill Country Park and Royal Military Canal play areas, have the national Green Flag Award.

Faced with ageing play equipment at a time of financial constraint for local authorities, the F&HDC strategy recommends that the council prioritises its investment developing high quality play areas close to communities where there are the largest concentrations of children.

It is further proposed that F&HDC will work in partnership with parish and town councils, housing trusts and community groups to develop a network of play areas within a 15 minute walk of the majority of residents.

Cllr John Collier, Cabinet member for Property Management and Grounds Maintenance, said: “The strategy sets out in detail how, working with partners, we are going to meet the challenge of creating and maintaining high quality play areas which will benefit the health and wellbeing of those living in our district.”

Consultation on the strategy begins on 20 December 2019 and comments are invited by 31 January 2020. The strategy can be found by visiting folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/consultations and clicking ‘play area strategy 2020-30’.

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