Country park to get new play area
Children and families will soon have even more to enjoy when visiting the Grand Western Canal Country Park, with plans underway to create a play area in the Canal Basin in Tiverton.
The new facilities will be located on the little-used grassy area at the very end of the towpath where it meets Canal Hill.
Canal Ranger’s are talking to local children, and their parents and carers, to help decide on what equipment to install in the play area. Following this, design and tendering work will take place during the summer, with construction due to take place during the autumn and winter, ready for opening in the spring of 2016.
Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Grand Western Canal Country Park, said: “The canal is a popular visitor attraction, a thriving local amenity and supports a rich and vibrant variety of wildlife.
“This play area will be an excellent addition to what is already on offer and widen the canal’s appeal to new and frequent visitors.”
The new play area has been funded by Devon County Council’s ‘Investing In Devon – Local Projects Fund’, which was established to provide each County Councillor a capital fund to enable them to respond to local needs within their divisions, supporting projects that benefit the communities they represent.
Devon County Council’s Member for Tiverton East, Cllr Des Hannon, has allocated £10,000 to the scheme from this fund, with further money secured through reallocation of funds left unspent from the construction of the new Canal Visitor Centre and contributions from Tiverton Town Council.
Cllr Des Hannon said: "This is the perfect spot for a play area and I'm sure it'll be a hit with kids and parents. The canal basin is historic and beautiful. Creating somewhere for youngsters to play adds another dimension for families.
"Kids will be able to let off a bit of steam, parents get a well earned breather and the whole family gets to enjoy this lovely spot for a bit longer.
"Today's kids will be tomorrow's custodians of our canal. It makes sound sense to invest in them."
Local residents are invited to email their thoughts and ideas about the play area can be to the Canal Ranger Service via gwcanal@devon.gov.uk
