Despite delays caused by the inclement spring weather, Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) says its major refurbishment works in the play area at Ruddington’s country park are now almost finished.
This latest £175,000 of investment by RBC at Rushcliffe Country Park includes adding a new ‘Kanope Tower’ multi-play unit {pictured top} featuring 14 different play elements and a new wooden trail. Once opened it’s said this will offer panoramic views of the park – whilst play opportunities will also be increased thanks to a new pendulum pod swing and a fully inclusive wheelchair see-saw {pictured below}.
Existing equipment has now been refurbished and reopened – with the full scheme adding 28 new play elements and 47 additional user activities. These works are being completed by Bradmore based playground equipment supplier Proludic Ltd which has designed the updated features.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler says: “We’re pleased refurbishment of the play area is well underway which is seeing more inclusive equipment introduced, suitable for a wider age range as well as natural play elements such as a wooden nature trail. Community facilities such as these are so important for local families and young people, so we are delighted to be able to invest and update them, not least at one of our most popular parks.”
Accessed by car along Mere Way, from Loughborough Road, Rushcliffe Country Park attracts thousands of visitors to Ruddington every year to use its open spaces and recreational facilities. Other recent investments in our park include a totally refurbished visitor centre with a new lakeside café, a new outdoor shelter, electric vehicle charging points, pathway restoration work, refurbished toilets and ‘shade sails’. The nearby skatepark and BMX track were also rebuilt and refurbished in 2021 at a cost of £200,000.
However, RBC has been criticised recently for its sudden car park price hike to help pay for all these. On 1st May 2024 it removed the previous £1 all-day rate for those using the official car park at Rushcliffe Country Park, meaning visitors must now pay £1.50 to stay up to three hours and £3 hours to stay any longer than that – a rise of 50% and 300% respectively on the previous tariff. It’s feared this will exacerbate the problem of inconsiderate parking in residential areas of Ruddington nearby.
