Work begins to transform Market Drayton play park with state-of-the-art equipment after £50,000 investment

Market Drayton Town Council has invested £49,834 in total towards installing new equipment including a new goalpost which councillors hope will become "very popular".

Both current sets of swings and the small slide unit will remain as they are, but will be rubbed down and repainted.

All other equipment will be replaced or all-new.

Plans for the Grotto Road play area show new state-of-the-art play equipment that is to be installed including a large spinning wheel, seesaw, multi-sports area and complex climbing frame with a slide.

A town council spokesperson added that wildflowers have been sown in the park as part of efforts to improve its appearance.

At a meeting on July 17 last year, councillors discussed refurbishment of the Grotto Road play park.

It was agreed to fund the replacement of the 'small spring' items, the installation of two new pieces of equipment and the painting of the two sets of swings and the small climbing frame.

Market Drayton mayor Roy Aldcroft is excited to see the project completed and believes investing in youth facilities in the town is vital.

"We are very much committed to providing for the community in terms of recreation," said Councillor Aldcroft.

"One of the key things we try and do it provide for the infants children and teenagers of the town.

"We have got 11 play park sites in our remit at the moment, all of which have had a considerable amount of money spent on them.

"It is nice to see them being used, it is a great facility for some of the new estates particularly, and we will be keeping them up to date and replacing them as and when is necessary.

"We will also consult with the children of the town who use the facilities rather than just talking amongst ourselves."

Town councillors will meet this week to hear updates on the work.

Chair of the services and facilities committee at Market Drayton Town Council, Tim Manton previously said: "Play areas in Market Drayton are of immense importance to the town council, play is vitally important to children’s development, learning and health.

"Play contributes to the emotional, intellectual, social, cultural, psychological and physical development of children and this ultimately benefits our community in which children and young people live."

Councillor Aldcroft also revealed ambitions for the council to further enhance facilities at the town park.

"The next big project will be the town park," the mayor added. "That will be subject to council consultation, and no doubt we shall put some extra equipment on there within the next 18 months or so."