A play area at a Netherfield park is set to get a £98k upgrade.
Jackie Bells Fields is to get a cash boost from FCC Communities Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that awards grants for community, conservation, and heritage projects.
The funding comes from the Landfill Communities Fund, supported by donations from waste and resource management company FCC Environment.
The improvements will include refurbishment of some existing equipment and flooring, as well as the installation of exciting new features such as a 30-metre zip line, multi-play climbing units, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline, a table tennis table, a chess table, new seating, and basketball hoops.
Earlier this year, a mosaic celebrating the history and culture of Netherfield was installed in the park, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Netherfield has recently seen additional enhancements, including new tree planting, railings, and bins, as part of a broader town centre regeneration plan aimed at attracting more visitors to the park and local shops.
Work on the park is scheduled to begin in the Winter and is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete. The existing play area will be closed during this period.
The funding bid was submitted in partnership with Gedling Borough Council and the Friends of Jackie Bells Park.
It included consultations with local children from Netherfield Junior School, young people from the Loco Centre, and local families to gather input on what they wanted to see in the park.
Richard Smith, spokesperson for FCC Communities Foundation, said; “We’re delighted to be supporting the improvement to the Jackie Bell Play Area project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families across Netherfield.
“FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”
Councillor Alison Hunt, Chair of the Friends of Jackie Bells group said: “This is brilliant news. I am delighted that our small group has been successful in our funding bid to refurbish Jackie Bell’s Field.
“We are thrilled that this historic, well-used and much-loved community asset will soon be brought up to date and continue to provide a valuable resource for local children now and for many years to come”.
Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat said: “The plans for the new facilities look fantastic and I’m sure the new play area will be very much welcomed by the local community.
“The refurbished park, alongside the beautiful mural, which was installed in March and other improvements earmarked for the area, shows that we are working to improve Netherfield Town Centre and get more people, with their families, visiting and utilising the shops and parks.”
waist of money spending money on ANYTHING in Netherfield when parks need fixing in Arnold, Tourists come to Arnold and the parks need to be spick and span so invest there not here as a total waist of money as nobody visits Netherfield Whjat tourist goes to Netherfield to visit the town or park NONE Invest in the capital
Abbsolute garage Arnold Lad, same old boring & meaningless rants.
Absolute Garbage was what I think Gekalinda meant & I totally agree.
Bore off Arnold Lad. Of course money should be spent elsewhere. Look how much have us taxpayers ploughed into Arnold and it’s STILL a dump.
Arnold lad….seems as its necessary fir Government to give Arnold extra policing, the only tourists you get are criminals. Quit smoking that funny smelling stuff, your minds puddled
We get torists Percy as I have met them and they love our town and our park and our shops like B&M and the big Asda that you cant go to in anywhere else in Gedling just Arnold