Grantham Green – Eastleigh’s award-winning ‘rock’ venue
Pictured: Members of the Eastleigh Local Area Committee at the new rock climbing feature at Grantham Green
The transformation of a popular open space near Eastleigh town centre – that has recently seen the arrival of an exciting rock-climbing feature - has been recognised in prestigious design awards.
Grantham Green was highly commended in the green space category of the 2019 national Street Design Awards, organised by Local Government News magazine. The awards recognise innovation and best practice in street design schemes across the UK.
A new multi-use games area (MUGA) funded by Sport England, recently opened on the Green, offering a caged space for football, basketball and other activities. Other facilities include seating, paths and picnic tables, as well as trees, shrubs and a wildflower meadow. A successful funding bid to the Aviva Community Fund, put together by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee (ELAC), working with the OneCommunity charity and local groups, has brought a dramatic rock climbing feature to the Green. It has also received support from the Hampshire Playing Fields Association.
Eastleigh Borough & Romsey Mencap and local group, the Friends of Grantham Green, have also been closely involved in the regeneration of the popular green space – previously a featureless, flat area of grass bordered on all four sides by Parnell, Derby, Nutbeem and Grantham Roads. Historically it has always been widely used by local young people, children with parents and dog walkers.
Chair of ELAC, Councillor Paul Bicknell, said: “Being highly commended in the Street Design Awards is further proof that Grantham Green is an innovative and people-friendly space that all residents can enjoy. It is an excellent example of local people working closely with the Council and other groups to create something truly magical.”