Little Downham Parish Council

The project is to create an inclusive playground space at Little Downham, with supporting infrastructure, which meets the wide and varying play needs of every child. Current facilities have reached the end of their useful life, being around 30 years old, and have many identified health and safety risks. There are currently no provisions for older children (9+) or children with disabilities.

The play kit for the older children has been thoughtfully designed in the style of a trim trail, directly reflecting the specific feedback and preferences they shared during our consultation process. This style of equipment encourages physical activity, coordination, and outdoor engagement in a way that resonates with their interests and developmental stage.

In addition, we have made significant efforts to ensure the space is inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities. The play area features a range of equipment and adaptations designed to support disabled children, including wheelchair-accessible swings, roundabout, sensory boards, smooth and wide pathways, a wheelchair-friendly trampoline, and much more. These inclusive elements promote social integration, equal play opportunities, and a welcoming environment for every child in our community.

All the proposed new kit has been carefully designed by the children of the village at a special consultation that was held with professional playpark providers. The final designs have been based on these ideas.

The Thalia WB Community Fund grant will pay for:

2.4m High Viking 3 bay swing- This will contain two flat swings, two cradle swings, one inclusive swing and one tango swing (two-person swing, so a child and an adult can swing together, face to face)
Installation of a new accessible wheelchair friendly roundabout with a pathway to it from the main gate. Along this pathway there will be sensory boards x 3 with different activities.
A large wheelchair friendly trampoline.
An inclusive playhouse
Partial payment for a basket swing.