Bedford Borough Council has announced the completion of the Commercial Road and Priory Country Park playground refurbishment projects, which started earlier this year. This is a significant milestone in the Council's ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and engaging community environments for all.
The Commercial Road Playground, with its iconic tractor that remains a local favourite, has undergone a remarkable transformation. The playground now features a charming "farmyard" theme that ties in perfectly with the beloved tractor. In addition to the new theme, the loose fill surfacing has been replaced with a more user-friendly alternative, making the playground a safe and enjoyable space for children of all abilities to play and create lasting memories.
The Priory Country Park playground, which has undergone a real transformation through these works, features a range of new and improved equipment that embodies the theme of “nature” and caters to a wider range of ages and abilities.
And to ease the minds of those of us who were wondering, the popular zip line remains a central fixture of the refurbished playground at Priory Country Park.
Councillor Jim Weir, Cabinet Member for Environment, said, "Our objective with these playground refurbishments is to establish environments where families can nurture their children's physical activity, foster imaginative thinking and facilitate educational play. The completion of the Commercial Road and Priory Country Park playground refurbishments, under the Riverside for All initiative, marks a significant achievement in our ongoing commitment to crafting inclusive and captivating community spaces.”
The refurbishment projects are part of the larger £1.5million Riverside for All initiative, which aims to enhance recreational spaces, improve footpaths, and contribute to the overall revitalisation of the beautiful riverside and the communities that use it.
The Commercial Road Playground and Priority Country Park refurbishments are just two parts of the Riverside for All project, which also included the new fitness area at Mill Meadows, footpath improvements at St Mary’s Gardens and along the Embankment, refurbishment of viewing platforms around Longholme Lake, bulb planting and refurbishment of the Castle Mound Mosaic.