Over £70k granted to restore Coalville Park play area

This money has come from a grant through The Veolia Environmental Trust.

The ‘Friends of Coalville Park’ voluntary group have secured funding of £73,000 for new play equipment in Coalville Park with support from North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC).

They have spent two years working on their application to The Veolia Environmental Trust, which was submitted earlier this year. 

Working in partnership with the community group, NWLDC will contribute £20,000 to the improvements which will see the installation of a new toddler area, balance trail, swings and zip line with a mining theme for Coalville.

The majority of the existing surface in these areas will be replaced with new wet pour, an impact absorbing rubber safety surface which will be durable enough to withstand poor weather conditions to last into the next decade. 

Local Mum & Volunteer Sandra Ramp who led the project, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to see this project come to fruition. It has been 2 years of hard work, but I can’t wait to see the final design installed and benefitting all the local children.

"Expanding the range of play equipment and adding inclusive items has been a priority for me ever since I first joined the Friends of Coalville Park group and it is so exciting to see the final plan. I would like to thank the council, who have worked so closely with us and provided funding, and The Veolia Environmental Trust who provided the generous grant that made this project possible.

"To everyone who helped with the consultations especially the staff & pupils of Broom Leys School; and those who completed our online survey, I would like to say thankyou so much.

"The survey responses helped us to achieve this and ensure we knew what the public would like to see in the play area. My personal appreciation also goes to Amy Shepherd, a former Friends of Coalville Park volunteer.

"She spent the first year working on the project with me and has been supportive throughout.”

Paul Ashmore, Amy Shepherd, Cllr Legrys, Sandra Ramp and Cllr Woodman present the new plan to local schoolchildren.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: “We’re delighted to have provided funding for the new playground equipment at Coalville Park alongside the Friends of Coalville Park group who has worked tirelessly to make this project possible.

“The group has worked continuously with our Parks Team to find new ways to develop and improve the park and we’re proud of its most recent success in achieving Green Flag status.

“The installation of the new equipment will help to build on their efforts to maintain the parks high standards and we look forward to seeing it in action once it’s completed in December.