Merstham recreation ground refurbishment

Pages in Merstham recreation ground refurbishment

  1. 1. You are here: Merstham Rec - a park for everyone
  2. 2. Merstham Rec consultation

1. Merstham Rec - a park for everyone

Construction Work

Blakedown Landscapes, our main contractor, will deliver comprehensive works to refurbish Merstham Rec.  The upgrade works are estimated to start in April 2024 and should be complete by Jan 2025.

Most of the construction will happen in the north of the park, while the southern area will remain available for use throughout this period. The existing play area will also continue to be open while the works progress, with demolition at a later stage.

Having consulted extensively with residents, local groups, organisations and sports clubs, the aims of the refurbishment are to encourage:

  • play and fun
  • access for all
  • an asset for the community
  • access to nature
  • improved wellbeing
  • ways to help people be active.

What's planned

Works will include:

  • a new pavilion with a café kiosk, toilets and changing rooms with solar panels and a green roof
  • a new play area with equipment for children of all ages and abilities
  • a parkour course for over 12s
  • an outdoor gym
  • an improved network of footpaths with better accessibility for wheelchairs and buggies
  • a picnic area and community orchard
  • new trees, landscaping and swales to improve drainage.

The new play area will feature a variety of equipment for climbing, sliding, swinging, balancing and being creative. It will also include natural elements and sensory opportunities to provide a fun and challenging play experience for children at different stages of development. It has been designed to be inclusive and accessible, with the aim of achieving PIPA (Plan Inclusive Play Areas) accreditation.

The main facilities will be centrally located in a ‘green heart’ for users’ convenience and to retain plenty of open space for sports pitches.

Football will continue to be the main activity in the Rec with the retention of the various pitch sizes, including:

  • 2 no 11v11 pitches
  • 1 no 9v9 pitch
  • 1 no 5v5 pitch
  • 1 no new 7v7 pitch at the Battlebridge site

Download more information about the project here: https://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/downloads/file/7282/merstham_recreation_ground_refurbishment

Funding

The Council has secured an additional £500,000 of funding for the project from the National Lottery which will be used to invest in facilities.

A total of around £3m of investment will be made into Merstham Rec with funding from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.