NEW play equipment is being installed at the revamped Manor Gardens play park in Dawlish. Work began a few weeks ago preparing the site and now the area is beginning to take shape.
Many of the main structures are now in place for the major upgrade to the play park which, when completed, will be a ‘gold’ standard and among the best in Devon. The area is currently fenced off and the central pathway is closed while construction is ongoing.
The £320,000 scheme, jointly funded by Dawlish Town Council and Teignbridge Council, was approved by the town council in the summer.
Before the work could start, the town council had to officially lease the area from landowners Teignbridge Council. The park has been due for improvement for several years. Once complete, the new facility will include a children’s trail along the Brook, through the Lawn, past the Knowle and up to Manor Gardens.
Totem poles and information boards will mark the route towards the Manor, as well as grasshopper and spider climbing features. The design, which will extend the play park slightly, has been created in consultation with Oakwood College in Dawlish, a specialist college for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
It has been specifically created to be inclusive and fully accessible for children with disabilities and for able-bodied and disabled children and young people to use together. At the bowling green, there will be two wooden animals on the grass to play on.
On reaching the Knowle, there will be stepping stones and tree fairies continuing to another wooden animal. The play park will be divided into two sections: a coastal theme and a nature theme. The coastal theme, for up to 14-year-olds and designed to accommodate 110 people, will feature a fishing boat and hut, Black Swan rockers and an interactive tunnel.
There will be an inclusive trampoline and a play boat with a ramp for wheelchair users along with a roundabout which is also accessible. There will be a Dawlish train and station office in the coastal area with climbing area and swings, some will be tandem so can be used by parents with their children.
Picnic benches, swings and a carousel will be included along with a 14 unit adventure play area.