Lord Mayor unveils transformed play area project at Arena Park

The Lord Mayor Cllr Rob Newby met Youth Ambassadors of Arena Park who, together with the young people in the area have made it possible to change the face of their local park.

A Celebration Event took place on Saturday 6 April and unveiled new park signs and the transformed play area. Councillors Saxon Spence, Moira Macdonald and Simon Bowkett attended as well as local Police and Fire service representatives. Christine Fraser an Exeter Parks Watch volunteer gave thanks to all supporters of the project.

Sue Lawrence Chair of Exeter Parks Watch said: “It was fantastic to celebrate the achievements of this fantastic community partnership; the play area is enjoyed by everyone.”

The project started in October 2010 with local residents and police officers identifying a run down park. Exeter Parks Watch and Exeter City Council Parks and Open Spaces Manager secured a new partnership that enabled the community, through surveys and discussions, to voice their aspirations and priorities for the park.

Youth Ambassadors, elected by their peers, voiced the wishes of the young people for a Multi Use Games Area in Arena Park.

Through Exeter Parks Watch a Home Office Community Development Fund provided funding for a Multi Use Games Area together with a one-year programme of sports coaching overseen by a Devon Youth Worker. The Youth Ambassadors themselves secured £5,000 towards the MUGA.

Further funding from Devon & Exeter Councillors, DCH, Northbrook Community Trust and The Norman Family Trust enabled the young people, overseen by James Bond of Carving Community, to design, name and build, with hand tools, their own dugout and picnic seating area.

Further partners involved in this project were Devon & Cornwall Police, Northbrook Community Trust, DCH, Exeter Parks Watch, Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and The Norman Family Trust.

For further information please contact Sue Lawrence Chair of Exeter Parks Watch on 01392 670723