Playing Fields Committee

Posted by: Chris Witham - Posted on:

The Playing Fields Committee met on Tuesday 24 August at the Belle Vue Centre. Councillors had individually visited our recreation areas before the meeting.

Councillors reviewed the feedback from the skate park survey and considered the next steps for procurement and applying for planning permission.

A comprehensive review of all our playing areas was undertaken and ideas for future improvements were discussed. Councillors would like to receive feedback from playground users before deciding on the next round of improvements.

Playground highlights

A number of significant improvements had been made since the Playing Fields Committee last met.

Double View

New infant and junior play equipment has been installed in the Double View recreation area.

Play equipment in the junior area at Double View playground.
Junior playground at Double View
Infant playground at Double View

Miners Welfare Playing Field

The new £150k playground installation was completed last year at the Miners Welfare Playing Field along with new CCTV cameras.

The Cinderford Mine play tunnel set in the larger playground at the Miners Welfare Playing Field.
Cinderford Mine, part of the new playground.

MUGA

We are in the final stages of procurement for a new polymetric 5G surface upgrade that will be applied to the multiuse games area (MUGA) at Double View. This will allow the court to be used in more conditions. The surface is suitable for a wide range of sports including football, basketball and hockey.

Basketball hoop above a football goal in the multi use games area. A rubbish bin and picnic bench are in the background surrounded by green grass.
The MUGA will shortly be upgraded with a new playing surface.

Future improvements

  • After a routine safety inspection, the swings at the Latimer Road playground in Hilldene have had to be removed. Councillors are looking at options to install new swings in this play area.
  • Some old equipment will be removed from the Steam Mills playground. Councillors are looking at options to renovate or replace the swings and provide new cargo nets and ropes on the climbing frame.
  • The play equipment in Freeminers Way is approaching end of life and Councillors are seeking designs and quotes for a renewed play equipment scheme similar to the new infant scheme in Double View. This would complement the older play equipment just around the corner at Latimer Road.

Have your say

Councillors are keen to get views from local residents before the improvements to recreation areas are finalised.

Complete the recreation area survey