Exmouth play area benefits from £100,000 of exciting new play activities chosen by local children

The play area in Brixington Park in Exmouth has a new lease of life, thanks to East Devon District Council, which has put in £100,000 of modern and exciting equipment.

The new design has a lifeboat theme and contains all the equipment asked for by children and young people at Brixington Primary School and at several community groups that meet at Brixington Community Church. It includes trampolines, slides, a zip wire, monkey bars, climbing and more.

The most popular requests from the children and young people were sent to a number of play equipment suppliers, who competed to provide the best designs. A good selection of great quality designs were received and, after seeing which designs best provided what the children and young people wanted, Proludic were appointed to manufacture and construct the play area.

The majority of the £100,000 came from main district council budgets. In addition there was some Section 106 play area money from new housing developments, collected by the district council and prioritised by Exmouth Town Council for Brixington play area. 

Cllr Cathy Gardner, Chair of East Devon District Council, said: “This play area is a dramatic improvement on the old and outdated play area that was there before. I’m sure it will be enjoyed by children for many years to come. The children that helped decide on the activities did a really good job! I’m proud that I was able to officially open this exciting play area with its new lease of life.”

Cllr Geoff Jung, district council portfolio holder for coast, country and environment said: “A big thank you to all the children and young people who got involved and had their say. I’m very pleased that we were able to commit to funding improvements to this play area, which was at the end of its life. I’m looking forward to seeing the children and young people who helped design the play area enjoying it.”

Cllr Fred Caygill, Chairman of the Exmouth Town Council Section 106 Working Party at Exmouth Town Council said: “I am really pleased to see this project to upgrade and modernise the young children’s play area finally completed on the Brixington Recreational Area. 

“The children of the area played a part in the decision making process of the project in its design stage, which I am sure will give the children and their parents a feeling of ownership in this play area. 

“The town and district councils working in partnership will continue to invest S106 money in projects for children and adults that will help promote health and wellbeing, which is very important for all of us.”