£110k play area renovation to go ahead

Gawsworth Play Area will undergo a £110,000 transformation in early 2025.

At its November meeting, the Parish Council signed off plans for a major upgrade of the play area which will be delivered by HAGS.

The plans for the upgrade have now been finalised and will see a new multi-play in the toddler area alongside some small play panels. The existing swings and swingers will be retained. The surfacing will be renewed along with a new hop-scotch pattern being laid.

The junior section will get a new zip-wire and accessible roundabout. A trampoline panel will be installed alongside a see-saw and spinning pole. Two new swing seats will be installed, including one for children with additional needs who find a traditional swing seat difficult to use.

Following feedback from Gawsworth Scouts, the centrepiece will be an exciting multi-play unit featuring a net, slide, towers, climbing holds and swinging hoops. The surfacing will be recovered too.

Between the two areas a climbing net will also be installed as children gave really positive feedback for this feature.

Works are expected to commence in February and complete in March. During this time the play area will close but the park will remain open. The exact timings will be available in the new year.

The Parish Council has been successful in a number of grant applications securing a total of just under £77,000 from five funders to deliver the project. The balance is being funded from planning funds and parish council reserves.

The external funding breakdown is:

• John Upton Charity – £26,000 inc. a £3,222 unlocking payment for the Tarmac grant
• Tarmac – £30,000
• Crowdfunding – £800
• National Lottery – £20,000
• Cheshire Community Action – £500
• The Bruce Walker Trust – £3,000
• Community Infrastructure Levy – £20,000

The Parish Council is also working on plans to improve the football pitch by replacing the goals and installing nets. The council is also looking at replacing the basketball hoop.

Funds for some of these additional projects will come from the Tesco Stronger Starts grants and Tesco shoppers at Macclesfield, Broken Cross and Bollington can use their tokens to vote for Gawsworth Park as a project from Mid-January to Mid-March.

For any questions about the park, or other parish council projects, please email clerk@gawsworthpc.org.uk.