Play area reopens at just the right time
A new play area at The Orchard in Bath is up, running and being thoroughly enjoyed by families in the sunshine.
Bath Recreation Ltd - the body which manages the Rec - has taken on the freehold of the land off Broadmoor Lane, Weston, and equipment that was dismantled last year has been replaced.
Sandra Tuck, one of the founder members of Friends of the Orchard at Broadmoor Lane, said: “We are pleased to announce the reopening of the play area. We are very grateful to Bath Recreation Ltd, local people and other donors who made provision of the new equipment possible.
“In the mean-time, local volunteers and Bath Recreation Ltd have been cutting the grass and volunteers have been pruning the trees.
“We’ve made good use of our bat detectors and have found pipistrelles and greater and lesser horseshoe bats.
“A noticeboard has been made locally and is nearly ready for installation. The new play area will be really treasured by the local community.”
The well-used park near Weston All Saints Cofe Primary School was originally installed as a planning requirement to serve the community nearly 16 years ago.
Redcliffe Homes, which built the houses nearby, had an obligation to maintain the play area for a decade up to 2012 but continued to do so until early 2017.
As its future came under threat residents rallied together and started a quest to keep the valuable local amenity alive.
However, they could not persuade the council to adopt the space and take over maintenance costs of doing so; meaning the equipment was removed on “health and safety” grounds last May.
Recreation Ground Ltd stepped in as it continues to look for opportunities away from its famous home in the city centre to provide recreation in and around Bath.
As well as taking on the freehold, management and maintenance of the park and surrounding orchard, they have invested £15,000 for the new play equipment, the residents raised £2,600, the council donated £2,700 and Redcliffe Homes pledged £10,000.