Ideas sought for new play area in park

A new children’s play area will be installed in Canterbury’s Dane John Gardens to replace the run-down wooden maze.

City council bosses hope to open the park in 2020, and are calling on residents to share their ideas.

The suggestions will then be pulled together and draft designs will be drawn up later this year.

The council hopes to create an “imaginative and innovative space” for children up to the age of 12 to enjoy.

The city gardens have become a hotbed for anti-social behaviour and crimes - including an alleged rape in the current play area.

Authority chiefs are striving for the design to be in keeping with the park’s heritage, and to minimise criminal behaviour.

Chairman of the council’s community committee, Cllr Neil Baker, said: “Sadly, the muchloved maze in the Dane John has come to the end of its life, but this gives us the opportunity to create something completely new.

“We really want to hear what sort of things people would like to see in there, from specific pieces of equipment through to the general design.

“That will lead to some firmer proposals that we’ll then consult on.

“It would be particularly good to hear from some children during this early phase of the project – after all, they’ll be the ones using it when it’s finished.”

A consultation on the plans, once compiled, will be opened before a final decision is made.

Comments and suggestions should be emailed to rebecca. booth@canterbury.gov.uk or made via the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages by Friday, March 29.