New play area for toddlers opens in Mildenhall
Macpherson Robertson Way, in Mildenhall, where councillors and local familes marked the completion of a new toddler play area. Photo: Mark Westley.
A new play area has been created in Mildenhall following a £33,000 investment by West Suffolk Council.
The small stretch of green space in Macpherson Robertson Way had previously only had a single, lonely springer, enough to entertain one child at a time.
Now, following discussions with Andy Neal, the councillor who represents the area on West Suffolk Council, a new inclusive play area has been created.
The improvement has been delivered as part of the council’s strategic priority for Thriving Communities and paid for using a mix of developer funding as well as £16,500 allocated to the council from the government under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Neal said: “I’m delighted. We have lots of families living in the area. We want to encourage children to get out, to play and enjoy the fresh air.
“This is a great investment and I’m sure that it will be very popular, particularly when the weather improves.”
The new play area is toddler focused and includes a swing, multi play unit with a slide, a sight and touch totem, double springer, sign language play panel and communication play panel, balancing water lilies and a balance beam with four struts.
Ian Shipp, the cabinet member for Leisure and Culture at the council, said: “Being able to get out and play is an important for young children.
“It’s good for their health and wellbeing and for their social development.
“That’s why I am so pleased that we have been able to use these funds to deliver this new play area to support families in this part of Mildenhall.”