A local dad who campaigned for new equipment in Governor’s Hill play area says it’s ‘great’ that Douglas Council has started to invest in it but feels more needs to be done.
Richard Little started a campaign to put pressure on the local authority to resolve some longstanding issues at the park including problems with the flooring, improving picnic benches and routine maintenance.
The council has since promised funding for the play area to refurbish the facility in 2027 and has also implemented a ‘five year play area masterplan’ to cover all playgrounds in the capital.
Play Area
Mr Little says responses to a Facebook post asking parents what they want to see has included ‘tactile play’ equipment and wheelchair friendly roundabouts.
According to a Freedom Of Information request, a number of improvements have been recorded which comprises of tarmacking over the grassed area between equipment, installing a new pathway and painting three swing sets in 2014, replacing a rocker in 2019 following damage from a road traffic collision and general on-going repairs and maintenance have taken place to seats, swing chains and swing bushes.
Mr Little also wants to see improvements made to the council’s internal review system which lists a date, location and whether the review has been completed – no information about equipment is listed.
He says he does ‘appreciate’ efforts to make the park safe for the children of the estate.
Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:
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