Inclusive and sensory play area opens at Itchen Valley Country Park
Pictured: L-R (back) Ross McClean (Local Area Manager), Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Richard Gomer, two carers from Rose Road Association, Andy Frost (Designer and Creator of the play area), joined by beneficiaries of the Rose Road Association.
A new accessible play area has been created at Itchen Valley Country Park, designed for inclusive play and enjoyment for all, was opened by the Mayor and tested by members and young beneficiaries of the Rose Road Association.
The play equipment and furniture have been designed to provide a space for inclusive play, where children of different physical abilities can explore alongside each other and benefit from a shared social experience. Young adults with complex disabilities and care needs and their carers from the charity Rose Road Association explored the sensory and accessible aspects of the new area with big smiles.
Creations have been sculpted to complement the wider landscape and tie into the named theme for the existing popular play area - ‘The Warren’. A giant rabbit sculpture centrepiece sits amongst the landscaped undulating mounds and nearby tunnel play pieces (rabbit holes). The rabbit is designed to look as if it were bounding through a wildflower meadow.
The area is open to all under appropriate adult supervision, and play features, to allow for improved access and stimulating challenges, include accessible ramps and boardwalks for wheelchair access, sensory panels, a sun shelter area, balance beams, a slide, and simple puzzles with bench seating.
Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Richard Gomer, said: “I’m really pleased to open such a special addition to Itchen Valley Country Park. It's so important that we provide facilities that allow all of our young people to play, explore and have fun. I hope this accessible play equipment will provide joy and adventure to young people and their families for many years to come.”
The area, made up from predominately hard and soft wood, has been carefully sculpted and put together by Romsey-based artist Andy Frost, a regular contributor to the Country Park’s natural aesthetic and encouragement for all to play and have an adventure for over 35 years. Andy was a Henry Moore Foundation Fellow in Sculpture at Camberwell School of Art and has most recently completed the Animal Super Powers trail at Itchen Valley Country Park.
The new play area has been funded by the Hedge End, West End and Botley (HEWEB) Local Area Committee to support play for all children.
John Shepherd, Chair of of HEWEB Local Area Committee, said “After the masterplan developments, we are always looking for further key improvements that can be made to enhance the Country Park for all. After months of planning, it’s great to see the play area come to fruition and can’t wait to have families try out the new facility.”
The Rose Road Association is a charity that provides direct care services for hundreds of children and young adults with complex physical and learning difficulties across Southampton and the south.
Learn more about the County Park and the play parks and trails at itchenvalley.co.uk