Revamped Wilmslow play area officially open

The official opening ceremony for Alveston Drive play area, located in the Villas Estate off Dean Row Road, took place on Monday 18th November 2024.

The works have been carried out thanks to funding from Cheshire East Council, Wilmslow Town Council and section 106 monies – a developer contribution from the surrounding estate.with the work organised and managed by Ansa Environmental Services (a Cheshire East Council company).

The revitalised play area includes the installation of a slide and climbing equipment, new swings and a spring-loaded spinning piece of equipment for younger children – along with a picnic table and new fencing have been installed, The work was completed at the start of November.

Wilmslow and District Rotary will be donating 4,000 crocus bulbs to enhance the park, to commemorate Rotary's work to rid the world of polio.

Wilmslow Town Mayor, Councillor Tim Higgins, cut the ribbon after making a short speech.

Also in attendance were Wilmslow Town Councillors, Cheshire East Councillors, the Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council – Cllr Michael Gorman – who is also a Wilmslow Town Councillor for Wilmslow West ward, the Ansa Parks Technical Officer, a Wilmslow & District Rotary representative and local families.

Wilmslow Town Mayor, Councillor Tim Higgins, said, "We are thrilled to officially open the renewed Alveston Drive Play Area.

"Neighbouring families with young children can now enjoy their local play park without having to travel, and the park can become a real community space.

"I would like to thank Councillor Lata Anderson for driving the project forward, Cheshire East Council for partnering with us on another park project and Ansa for organising and overseeing the work"

Councillor Lata Anderson, Dean Row ward Councillor for both Wilmslow Town Council and Cheshire East Council, said, "The refurbishment of this park was my first priority when I was elected as Dean Row ward Councillor so I am absolutely delighted the park has finally been completed.

"This project involved many people. I give my thanks to the Cheshire East Officers, who stuck with this project despite many setbacks and put up with my constant phone calls, and the Wilmslow Town Officers, who helped organise the new noticeboard and co-ordinate with Cheshire East.

"I especially want to thank the residents of the Villas Estate for their patience and their contributions. Residents worked together to form a consensus to make many of the key decisions, including the location and the need for fencing.

"This refurbishment is a testament of Wilmslow Town Council, Cheshire East Council and residents working together. I look forward to more collaborative projects like this."

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "In the same way that the play area at Little Lindow had a really positive effect on the local community in Wilmslow when it was revitalised, I'm sure it will be the same here.

"Partnership working is what has brought this project to fruition, and I thank officers both at Cheshire East and at Wilmslow Town Council for their perseverance and determination for seeing this through.

"The safe, clean area that we have now is a huge improvement on what we had previously, and I look forward to the final improvements which will lead to this area being used even more often."

While the play area is now open, there will be some works in the coming weeks to enhance the area. This will be a combination of further improvements to the pathways, additional seating and a noticeboard being installed.

Photographed in first photograph (L-R): Local resident Julie Scott, Cllr Jon Newell, Local residents Jon King and Katy King, Ed Yoxall (Parks Technical Officer for Ansa), Cllr Lata Anderson, Cllr Michael Gorman (Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and Wilmslow Town Councillor), Cllr Tim Higgins (Wilmslow Town Mayor), Cllr Toby Tritschler (Wilmslow Deputy Town Mayor) and Cllr Chris Hilliard.

 A before and after image of the Alveston Drive play area.