Kendal play area re-opens after local support for improvements
Posted on October 28, 2019 | NewsA town centre playground has re-opened with new and improved facilities, thanks to fundraising efforts by the Friends of Abbot Hall Playground working in partnership with the council and a host of local sponsors, including Russell Armer Homes.
The new park has been a few years in the making, having begun with a meeting of parents keen to revive interest in the neglected park. Although the playground occupies a picturesque location close on the banks of the River Kent, it had become run down with existing play equipment nearing the end of its life after around twenty years of use.
Abbot Hall Park houses a museum and art gallery and is a popular destination for both locals and visitors to the town. It was felt that there was much greater scope to create a more exciting playground with equipment suitable for a wider range of ages and which would meet the needs of the local community, contributing to local cohesion.
With support from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and from local businesses, including a £1000 donation from Russell Armer Homes, the group were given the green light for the project and went on to raise the money needed to design and build the facility. Residents were consulted throughout the process and their ideas incorporated into the final plans.
The new playground was officially opened in September 2019 at a special ribbon-cutting event. Russell Armer was delighted to be able to contribute to this important local initiative which has brought together representatives from across the community in pursuit of a shared goal.
Martyn Nicholson, Russell Armer MD, commented: “The Abbot Hall playground is a testament to the power of local communities to bring about change that benefits everyone. We’re incredibly proud to have played a small part in bringing it to fruition.”