A PROJECT to reinstate a play park for future generations to enjoy is gathering pace.

Summerfields Park in the St Stephen’s area of Saltash used to be a popular meeting place for children of all ages and their families – a spot surrounded by trees, where kids could make dens, play and socialise.

Over the last ten years, the park has gradually become more overgrown and sad-looking as equipment has been removed and not replaced.

In autumn 2021, a group of local people came together, determined not to see this important place lost forever.

The Friends of Summerfields Park was formed, and working with town councillors and Cornwall Council, which owns the land, the group has made a plan to re-establish and promote the park as a beautiful, fun, and safe environment for everyone to enjoy.

Local people describe how,

despite the fact that new housing developments have sprung up in St Stephens in the last decade, there is no alternative play area within walking distance.

One of those people is grandmother Jane Scantlebury, who’s secretary of the Friends of Summerfields Park committee.

“Local children are experiencing social problems affecting their wellbeing, and COVID-19 has exacerbated this,” said Jane.

“Communities are rightly being urged to become greener and cut fuel consumption. Many local families cannot afford to travel to alternative sites and little children lack the strength to walk far. For these and many other reasons, we think it is vital that positive action is taken to ensure Summerfields Park is reinstated as soon as possible.”

The Friends group was formally constituted and a committee formed in November 2021, following which, a business plan has been devised and presented to Saltash Town Council.

At a recent meeting of the Council’s Services committee, Cllr Hilary Frank confirmed that there was Section 106 money available for the St Stephens area.

Members agreed to give their active support to the Friends group, with Cllrs Griffiths, Peggs and the Essa ward councillors liaising.

The committee aims to raise around £80,000 for equipment such as a basket swing, slide, and climbing frame, and they say they’ll be taking a phased approach to getting equipment installed.

In the meantime, the clear-up needs to begin in earnest – and there’ll be fundraising events through the spring and summer months.

Volunteers

The Friends of Summerfields Park are holding volunteer days this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, February 26-17) and would love to see as many people as possible come along on either day between 10am-1pm, and from 2-5pm.

“We’ll be clearing the playground from brambles, and we ask volunteers to bring gloves and tools with them, but we will have dumpy bags to put the clippings into,” said Jane.

“All help, whether for 20 minutes or longer, would be much appreciated.

“Committee members will be available on the Saturday and Sunday morning at 10am to explain about our group and share our plans.”

For anyone that can’t make this weekend but would like to support the project, a fundraising coffee morning is planned at Saltash Leisure Centre on Friday March 11 (9am-2pm).