NEW play areas, a new path, and an extended dog walking area are all in the pipeline for King George V playing field.
The plans are all part of the town council’s ‘master plan’ for the park, which has already seen the successful introduction of a splashpad, a new patio area outside the pavilion, and outdoor gym equipment.
The relocation of the children’s play area from beside Clackers Brook to near the splashpad, could begin as soon as April or May this year. The nautical-themed equipment installed in 2017 will be moved to the new location.
And another all-new play area located next to the skate park, replacing the existing adventure play area, has also been proposed – with construction dependent on the council securing sufficient external funding.
Members of the town council’s King George V sub-committee have also appointed a contractor to complete work to improve the park’s main path, creating a clear route around the playing field.
Plans for an all-weather informal sports surface in the Clackers Brook flood zone (located in the south-west corner of the park) have had to be revised following advice from Wiltshire Council that the proposed changes could impact the flood area and would not get Environment Agency approval. Instead, the council is exploring alternative uses of the area, including an extension of the existing off-lead dog walking area.
Plans for a forest school/ wooded area and nature area to replace the children’s play area next to Clackers Brook once it has been relocated have been described as ‘feasible’ and ‘beneficial’ to the drainage and biodiversity of the area.