Fishbourne family supports plan to make playpark more inclusive
A Fishbourne family has given their support to the Fishbourne Playing Field Association’s new initiative to make the playpark at Blackboy Lane more inclusive.
The initiative aims to renovate the park to make it more inclusive for people who potentially might not be able to enjoy the facilities.
The group also hopes it will help raise the issue for residents and they be able to find a way to have community support and community backed funding.
Martin Weller, from Fishbourne believes that the initiative will help allow more people to be able to play in the park: “We live very close to the park and walk there almost daily.
“Having two daughters, one of them with muscular weakness and wheelchair bound, has made us realise
the importance of inclusive play.
“This has impacted our youngest daughter enormously as she is unable to access the playground and enjoy playing next to her
sister.
“It is important to raise awareness of inclusive play and we are grateful that Fishbourne’s trustees are willing to do this for the community in order for all
children to play together. Every child should be able to enjoy taking part in social interactions without exclusions.
“We are grateful for the effort that Fishbourne has taken and we hope that by raising awareness, we can also raise the level of support needed to build an inclusive playground for all children.”
In the statement about the renovation the Fishbourne Playing Field’s Association Trustees wrote: “The Fishbourne Playing Field’s playpark is a very valued community asset.
“Looking to the future and realising that the equipment that is installed will need replacing at some time, the FPFA Trustees would like to seek community input into what this could be and how it could be funded.
“The Trustees are also very conscious that we should support inclusive play as much as possible.”
If you would like to support the scheme email letsallplay@fpfa.org.uk
The trustees will gauge the level of support by holding an “Open Meeting” in the Fishbourne Centre on Wednesday, March 30 at 7.30pm.