“Beautiful” new play equipment is due to be installed at a playground in Alsager, and plans to revamp the skatepark have started to take shape.
A new roundabout, a double-seated swing and a “Crazy Nellie” were among the new apparatus that was signed off by members of the town council’s Planning, Environment and Community Committee at its meeting last Tuesday.
Resident Sarah Hawksworth told members she was “thrilled” with the photos of the new equipment included in the meeting’s agenda.
In the public participation section of the meeting, she said: “It’s beautiful equipment; thank you very much. The swings are lovely and two are double-facing so you can even play with your children on them – it’s gorgeous.”
Meeting chair Coun Steve Butterfield explained that the refurbishment would be paid for with leftover Community Infrastructure Levy cash – mandatory fees paid to the council by developers to support infrastructure.
Coun Michael Unett said: “I think the equipment looks good. I like the idea of the alternative swing-seat layout, which gives accessibility to different users. It’s great to see lots of improvements that were overdue at Wayside Linley Park.”
Members were also asked to choose from three quotes pulled together by town clerk Julie Mason for enhancements to the skatepark in Milton Park.
It followed a presentation by Home café owner Alex Melhuish in April last year, in which he asked the council to consider some “quick wins” to brighten up the well-used space.
At the time, he said: “It has a lot of potential, but it needs tweaking and a bit of love. It’s slap bang in the middle of Alsager, and I see it being used daily by young people.
“It’s a bit neglected for sure; a bit dull. It’s not very well signposted and it’s not very appealing as an entryway to the park, despite being one of the main ways in from the crossroads.
“We heard from some of the younger and older people that it can feel a bit threatening, which goes with the territory when you’re dealing with younger adults, but I think the physical environment has a lot to do with that as well.”
He suggested that abandoned and broken equipment could be repaired, benches could be moved to create a “less threatening” atmosphere and furniture could be painted.
After consulting with a professional graffiti artist, he also hoped to create a public art attraction by replacing the “crumbling” wall along the skatepark bordering the fire station.
He said: “I’ve had talks with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to replace the wall, and they’ve said they could get behind it.
“We’re in a climate where funding is more difficult to obtain, so we’re concentrating on the little things we can do to renew, update and refresh cheaply.”
The council agreed to spend £5,000 of its community infrastructure levy funds on upgrading the space, but Ms Mason explained at last Tuesday’s meeting that she had hit some stumbling blocks.
In a report to members, she said: “The removal of the benches is not feasible due to the way they are set into the ground. Removing them would require excavating a significant amount of ground to break out and remove the concrete around the legs.
“This would then require extensive reinstatement work, so unfortunately, we are unable to carry out that part of the job.
“There is also an appetite to improve the wooden graffiti wall, which is attached to the Alsager Fire Service’s property, but sadly the fire service is not engaging despite several attempts from myself and the local business owner. We will pursue.”
Members voted to accept the cheapest quote of £2,320 to spend on the resiting of three concrete planters, repainting of benches and litter bins and the removal of four small planters and two pedestrian barriers.
Coun Unett said: “I think these are some good first steps to complete some of the quick wins.
“It’s disappointing that no further action can be taken on the graffiti wall, but if we keep trying, hopefully we will be able to do something and there is some money left in the pot for that.”
