Artist’s impression of the new play area
Work will start later this month on a new play area at a popular Lichfield visitor attraction.
Lichfield District Council is unveiling its plans for a brand new play area in Stowe Fields. Lots of new play equipment will join the existing five ways swing and orbital roundabout on a grassy area to the side of Stowe Pool.
Work to install the play equipment is expected to start from mid-June 2020. When complete, the playground will feature a variety of swings, including a basket swing, a 30m zip line, two slides, climbing frames, wooden stilts, a spider’s net, a fireman’s pole, a seesaw and more, for a range of ages.
The equipment will sit on a 320m² green and black fleck safety surface, which should help protect children from bumps and scrapes, and is suitable for all weather. Once installed Stowe Field’s old junior play equipment, next to the outdoor gym, will be removed and the area re-landscaped to enhance the view from Stowe Pool towards Lichfield Cathedral.
Councillor Liz Little, Cabinet Member for Recycling & Leisure, said:
“It’s wonderful that this project is set to get underway and it looks like it will be a fantastic play area when complete.
“We know families are really keen to see a better play offering at Stowe Fields and this playground should keep children entertained!
“When social distancing measures are relaxed in the future, I am sure children will be really excited to use the equipment and get rid of some of their pent up energy.”
The playground project is set to cost £56,820, which the council is covering with funds it had set aside to improve Stowe Pool and Fields.
Work to install the playground is expected to take around four weeks, depending on the weather. However, the council does not plan to open it while social distancing measures are in place.