New playground opens in Stanmer Park

The new playground, designed for children aged from two to around 12 years old, includes equipment for less able youngsters including a toddler and basket swing and accessible roundabout.

The facility has been part funded by a generous contribution by Stanmer Village residents Jamie and Vivien Hooper. Their donation was given through the Fields in Trust organisation which released additional funding.

As a result, this part of Stanmer Park has now been dedicated as a Field in Trust. This means the area is legally protected, ensuring that the local community will have somewhere for play, sport and recreation for ever.

Jamie Hooper said: “We have supported the council in their aims to regenerate the park and believed that a play area should be added to the Heritage Lottery project to encourage families to visit as well as provide a safe area for village children to play.”

Further funding has come from the Preston Barracks development 106 contribution.

Designed by Eibe, the play area includes a main unit which reflects Stanmer House. Picnic benches were made by the Woodland Trust sawmill in Surrey using English Oak.

Visitors to the playground can also make use of the new car park, kiosk and toilet facilities provide by the National Lottery Heritage Funded Restoration Project adjacent to the play area, which will be completed later this year.

Cllr Amy Heley chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “We are extremely grateful to Jamie and Vivien and the Fields in Trust charity whose generosity has enabled us to provide this exciting new play area.

“It’s a wonderful addition to the wider Stanmer Park Restoration Project which is breathing new life into the park’s landscape and listed buildings.”

Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, added: “We congratulate Brighton & Hove City Council on protecting Stanmer Park, enabling residents to have somewhere to enjoy themselves, contribute to health and wellbeing and community connections; a happier and healthier local community will be able to enjoy this green space for good.”

Parking at Stanmer is still reduced while the Restoration Project nears completion. If you do have to travel to Stanmer by car, please use the designated car park at the entrance to the park opposite the play area.

East Sussex

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