Over the past few months, we've been busy turning open spaces on one of the larger estates we manage, back into what they were always meant to be: places for children to play, and for families and neighbours to bump into each other, chat, and enjoy the outdoors together.
New swings, climbing towers, trim trails, balance beams, climbing nets and more have gone in across the estate, and just in time for the school holidays, too.
Under previous management arrangements, there just wasn't enough set aside in reserve funds to reinvest in these spaces. Over several years, as play equipment reached the end of its life, got damaged, or simply wore out, it was taken away but never replaced, leaving a scattering of unused green areas around the estate.
Turning things around
Since Preim took over management of the estate, one of our first jobs has been getting the finances in proper shape, working closely with a variety of stakeholders and the wider community to rebuild reserve funds and put a solid plan together for the future.
Here's a flavour of the equipment that’s now in place across the estate's play areas:
- New swings - both cradle seats for little ones and flat seats for older children
- Climbing towers, A-frame net climbers and climbing nets for the more adventurous
- Trim trail combination units, balance beams and stepping posts to get everyone moving
- A log climber and a spring balance beam, adding something a bit different to a couple of the areas
- Fresh safety surfacing underfoot, so it's not just fun but properly safe too
Everything's been installed to EN1176 playground safety standards, with EN1177-compliant safety surfacing, and the whole lot has been checked and certified by an independent, qualified inspector - so parents can relax and let the kids get stuck in.
Why it matters
It's easy to talk about "investment" and "improvement programmes" and lose sight of what these actually mean for residents. For us, this investment has made such a positive difference, transforming previously underutilised areas into vibrant community spaces just in time for summer. Kids get somewhere to play, parents get somewhere to sit and chat while they watch, and neighbours get another reason to step outside and connect with each other.
It's also proof of what's possible when an estate is managed with a proper long-term plan behind it. Getting the finances right first meant we could deliver something residents can actually see, use and enjoy, rather than a quick fix that wouldn't last.
Anthony Hanchard, one of our Estate Managers, said “This is exactly the kind of project we love being part of. It's not just about new equipment going in, it's about giving a community back something it had been missing for a long time. Seeing these spaces transformed, and knowing children will be out there playing this summer, is a brilliant result for everyone involved. It's also a real testament to the groundwork our team has put in with residents and stakeholders, and it's just the start of what we've got planned for the estate."
There's more to come
This is just the beginning. It's the first phase of a wider programme of improvements we're planning for the estate, with more investment on the way to keep making this a great place to live, grow up, and put down roots.
For now, though, we're just looking forward to seeing these open community spaces buzzing with kids again this summer.
