- Cllr Alasdair Keddie’s work helps win funds to replace condemned play equipment
- Successful collaboration will bring improved facilities and surrounding environment
The Woodpecker Play Area in Queen’s Park is set to be renewed, with a £73,000 grant secured from the Veolia Environmental Trust. The project will include new play equipment, improved facilities, and enhancements to the surrounding environment – making Queen’s Park an even better place for our community to come together.
Hard-working Green Councillor for Queen’s Park & Charminster, Alasdair Keddie, identified a suitable grant fund to apply to, and worked with the Queen’s Park & Charminster Neighbourhood Charity and BCP Council’s Greenspace Team to get the successful application in motion. The Neighbourhood Charity’s survey to local residents on the site’s future received 200 responses within days.
The existing wooden adventure play area installation has sadly largely expired long before its intended use-by date. Large parts of it are boarded up and no longer safe. The impact has been deeply felt by families in our local area.
Photo: Much of the existing play equipment has rotted
This came after staff at severely cash-strapped BCP Council had indicated to Alasdair they could not foot the entire cost of renewing the playground at this time. However, securing the grant will kickstart the project earlier, with a major financial contribution from the Council as part of their Plan for Play.
Photo: Alasdair at a prior site visit with BCP Council staff
Alasdair says: “The grant is a great win for our community!”