A CHILDREN'S play park is to be built at Rutland Recreation Ground in Ilkeston after a £90,000 grant was secured.
The project will see equipment and facilities installed that will offer fully-inclusive play for youngsters and for children with disabilities – with the design ensuring the park is accessible to all.
Erewash Borough Council applied for the grant from the Aiming High Fund, which is managed by Derbyshire County Council and aims to support projects that improve facilities and access for children of all abilities.
Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash's lead member for culture and leisure, said the play park would increase the appeal of Rutland Recreation Ground.
He said: "It is a great, central location, it has a car park and the site already has a range of other sports facilities. We believe adding this new play park is an ideal opportunity to make Rutland a central 'hub' for sport and play that has access for all – improving, especially, the play facilities for young people with disabilities and additional needs.
"We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Derbyshire County Council and we are grateful to them for granting us the Aiming High funding to ensure the Ilkeston community can benefit from this valuable play park."
New paths will link into to the current walkways at the Recreation Ground and a low level fence will surround the play area, while a new picnic bench will also be added. The new play facilities will include equipment with special seating - including armrests and height variations - designed for use by people with disabilities and restricted mobility.
The Council has linked up with Ilkeston's Bennerley Fields Special School and the teachers, children, parents and carers will be involved in every aspect of the project, including the final design of the play park. It is hoped the facility will be up and running in time for the summer.
Meanwhile, a new Poolpod lift is to be installed at Ilkeston's Victoria Park Leisure Centre thanks to a £20,500 grant, also from the county council.
Once installed, the new Poolpod lift system will be used alongside the leisure centre's other hoist to offer people with disabilities access to the facilities and services on offer.
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