A brand new climbing frame has been installed in Oxford Park, Ilfracombe thanks to funding from local developments.

In response to Ilfracombe Youth Council’s request to North Devon Council (NDC) in 2019 to improve Oxford Park, it was agreed that the type of equipment currently situated in the play area was not suitable for the age range of the children wishing to use the park.

A survey showed that the children's preferred type of equipment would be a climbing wall. So plans were put forward to remove some fitness equipment which had very little use and were in a poor condition and install a new climbing frame which could be used by children ranging in age from 6 to 14.

As well as the new play equipment, two fruit trees have been planted in the middle section of the play park, just outside the play area boundary. The tree planting is part of a wider scheme to grow more tree saplings in NDC maintained parks and open spaces across the district, to help increase local environmental quality and biodiversity levels.

Lead member for the Environment at North Devon Council, Councillor Netti Pearson, says: "I am delighted that the NDC Parks team engaged with Ilfracombe's Youth Council to find out what type of equipment they would like to see installed in this play park and then identified a suitable funding stream to enable this to happen. This is what our district council is all about - working in partnership to identify and provide what the community needs.

"I applaud the planting of more trees in our parks. This is a really positive step by the Parks team towards implementing the council’s environmental aspirations to increase carbon absorption, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and restore our damaged natural environment – issues which affect us all."

The play equipment was installed thanks to funding from a Section 106 agreement. This is an agreement between a developer and a local planning authority about measures that the developer must take to reduce their impact on the community. Open space funding is often intended for projects such as parks and play areas, but can also be used for community buildings and other similar projects.

 

Photo 1 shows Councillor Netti Pearson with Kitty Elliott-Arkell and the play equipment

Photo 2 shows Councillor Netti Pearson with one of the tree saplings