Families across Amber Valley will soon be enjoying upgraded play spaces, as four play areas prepare to reopen following recent refurbishments.
Amber Valley Borough Council is nearing completion of work at Northern Road and Park Street in Heanor, Charnwood Drive in Ripley, Acorn Drive in Belper and Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground. This marks the first visible step in the Council’s new long-term Play Strategy.
Funding for the improvements has come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, allocated via the East Midlands Combined County Authority, along with a £37,000 contribution from Belper Town Council.
Local residents played a central role in shaping the upgrades. Communities were invited to share what they wanted to see in their play areas, helping to inform the specification provided to suppliers before voting on their preferred design.
Beyond the four refurbished playgrounds, improvements across the borough include thermoplastic line markings on multi-use games areas and basketball courts, repainting of existing play equipment, surface enhancements and the installation of outdoor fitness equipment at a number of sites.
Underpinning this investment is Amber Valley Borough Council’s new Play Strategy. It brings together a range of local plans and priorities, setting out how the Council will support and strengthen play opportunities in the years ahead.
At its heart is a clear vision of Amber Valley as a safe, inclusive, stimulating and healthy place for children and young people to play and grow.
Across the borough, the Council manages and maintains 99 play areas. The strategy outlines how these spaces will continue to be reviewed and improved, with funding directed where it can make the greatest difference.
Councillor Amina Burslem, Cabinet Member for Communities, Street Pride and Wellbeing, said:
"Play is essential to children’s wellbeing, development and social connection. These refurbished sites show that we are not only investing in equipment, but in the health and happiness of our communities.
"What makes this refurbishment programme particularly important is that local people helped shape it. When residents are involved in choosing designs and shaping our long-term plans, the spaces are better used, better valued and better protected.
"We also want to think beyond traditional playgrounds by integrating play into our natural environment and ensuring spaces are inclusive and accessible for children and young people with differing needs.
"These improvements are about giving families more reasons to get outdoors, be active and spend time together close to home, and our new Play Strategy sets out how we will build on that through to 2031."
Ongoing engagement with communities will continue to shape future improvements, ensuring play provision reflects the needs of children and families across Amber Valley.
Investment decisions will also be guided by data and insight, helping ensure funding supports the spaces people use every day.
Alongside maintaining and upgrading traditional play areas, the strategy also looks to wider opportunities. These include linking play more closely with nature, developing skills and training initiatives, and increasing both organised and informal play opportunities for children and families.
Consultation is now underway for the next phase of improvements at Aldercar Recreation Ground and Waingroves Recreation Ground, with residents invited to vote on their preferred designs.
Residents can take part in the consultation and read the full Play Strategy at www.ambervalley.gov.uk/environment/play-in-amber-valley/
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email enquiry@ambervalley.gov.uk
