Future of playgrounds goes out to consultation
LANCASTER City Council’s Cabinet has agreed to go out to consultation on the future of a number of play areas in the district.
On Tuesday (April 20) Cabinet members considered a report into the district’s play areas.
They heard that the city council is currently responsible for maintaining playgrounds at 79 sites.
While the vast majority are in good repair, a small number of the city council’s low priority and older play areas require significant investment.
To ensure that the council continues to have a wide range of playgrounds in areas where they are most used, Cabinet agreed to go out to consultation on the future of 10 playgrounds.
These are: Arcon House, Ambleside Road, Barnacre Close, Church Brow, Crag Bank Field, Furness Street, Low Moor, Manor Road (Slyne), Skerton Cowshard (which will be relocated) and The Roods (Warton Village).
Members of the public who would like to have their say on the possible closures should contact their ward councillor or parish council. The results of the consultation will be reported back to Cabinet later this year.
In addition to consulting on the future of 10 play areas, Cabinet agreed to spend £50,000 on new play areas in Heysham Village and another location yet to be decided. A play area will also be built in Hala to replace the poorly equipped play areas on Abbeystead Drive and Hala Hill, which will both then be closed.
Cabinet also agreed that a number of other play areas should close. These are: Forest Park, Highgrove Close, Parliament Street and St Austell.
All of these play areas are located close to other better play areas and the investment needed to upgrade them would instead be targeted to areas of greatest need.
Although initially proposed for potential closure, the play area at Gregson Road will remain open.
Cabinet also agreed to the development of a partnership approach with parish councils. This would see the city council provide some free maintenance work and regular safety inspections at 15 playgrounds owned by parish councils and a community group.
Date Updated: 23/04/10