VIDEO: Horsham mums triumph in bid for new children’s playground

Michelle Downey and Lynne Tumber, who both live in Sycamore Avenue, launched Beech Road Small Children’s Park Community Group in October 2012 to put pressure on Horsham District Council to replace existing facilities that had been in place for about 25 years.

Their bid was successful, the council consulted them on options, and work was completed in April.

Michelle, who has a five-year-old daughter Libby and three-year-old son George, said: “It’s really nice for me to bring my children here.

“It’s more relaxing because I do not have to worry about the children hurting themselves because the other one was so unsafe.”

She added: “Although they [the council] took their time they get there eventually and the fact that they included us and kept us in the loop and arranged the consultation was brilliant.

“The other thing I have noticed in the area is once they put something new in the area they maintain it better.

“It does not encourage the older children to pick it to pieces.”

Lynne, mum to one-year-old Brayden, said: “We have had comments from other mums saying it’s really nice because they did not want to bring their kids here before and they love all the trees and new play equipment.”