Published on 21st July 2022

Play equipment at Caernarvon Park, Up Hatherley

Caernarvon, Hillview and Whaddon now open as schools break up for summer.

Ten parks and play areas around Cheltenham are having a £221k revamp, thanks to the borough council, with support and input from Up Hatherley Parish Council and local residents.

Caernarvon Park, Hillview, Whaddon Rec, Ewan’s Farm, Springfields Park, Humpty Dumps, Barrington Avenue, Chalford Avenue, Pilgrove Way and George Reading will all benefit from new or revamped kit.

Caernarvon, Hillview and Whaddon play areas are ready and open in time for the summer holidays. Work will start at the other spaces from September.

Whaddon Rec has a play barn, fire engine, and roundabout; Ewan’s Farm will have a ‘Mr Bull’ with diggers and trucks, and Humpty Dumps is to get a bespoke play castle. Other spaces are to have a mix of new and refurbished equipment such as play towers, slides, climbers and ladders, with accessible play panels; carousels, see-saws with room for multiple children, and new picnic tables.

Cllr Iain Dobie, cabinet member for waste, recycling and street services, said: “We know how important our local parks and play areas are for families and the community, and I’m really pleased to announce that we’re upgrading ten of our play areas this year.

“We have quite a range of equipment, some of which has been revamped, and some that is brand new. The brand new equipment has been designed to be accessible, and we’re delighted to have had input from the parish and local people. I’d like to thank everyone for their involvement. This is a community project that I’m proud of.” 

Malcolm Walls, green space development officer, continued: “These improvements are part of our five year improvement program for our green spaces. Cheltenham is known for being a town within a park and we hope the new kit will make a big difference to our families’ quality play time together.”

Sarah Bamford, chair of Up Hatherley Parish Council, said: “The Parish Council helped fund the outdoor gym equipment in Caernarvon Park in early 2020. Following the first lockdown that year, we asked residents to tell us what they thought about the parks and green spaces in Up Hatherley. We were delighted when we heard that Cheltenham Borough Council were planning upgrades to Caernarvon and Hillview play areas and passed on the many good ideas that residents had identified.

“It is brilliant to see how many of the improvements have been incorporated into the design of the two parks - and there is more to come by way of picnic benches and tree planting.

“We are really happy to see the improvements that have been made and think that the play equipment at Caernarvon Park complements the outdoor exercise equipment. Putting parish council resources into these projects and working closely with the borough council is an effective way of improving the quality of our local environment.”

This work will cost £221,000 in total, and has been match-funded with £27,500 from Up Hatherley parish council for Caernarvon Park and Hillview playgrounds.

To find a play area near you, visit the council’s website with interactive map.


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