Published Friday, 9th May 2025
The new-look Merstham Recreation Ground has opened following its £3 million refurbishment programme to create a park for the whole community.
Among the new facilities on offer are a pavilion, playground, parkour course, outdoor gym, community orchard, picnic area, pathways and landscaping.
Fantastic facilities
The pavilion with a café kiosk, toilets and changing rooms, provides a new place to meet up and better facilities for sports teams. It also features solar panels to save energy and a green roof to provide a habitat for plants, bees and insects. Work is currently underway to select an operator to run the Kiosk which we hope will open in the Summer.
The pavilion features a vibrant mural, designed by creative students from Merstham Park School in collaboration with Redhill artist Uncle Stubble, based on the themes of art, nature and community. The artwork will serve as a lasting legacy for both the students and the Merstham community, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.
A fun and challenging play area features a variety of equipment for climbing, sliding, swinging, balancing and being creative. It includes natural elements and sensory opportunities to suit children at different stages of development and has been designed to be inclusive and accessible, meeting Plan Inclusive Play Areas (PIPA) accreditation.
We have worked with a specialist supplier to create an exciting parkour course - the first in the borough - with a range of obstacles to run, jump vault and climb on.
An outdoor gym provides more opportunities to get fit for free and features a range of equipment for cycling, rowing, cross training and to increase strength.
The existing tennis court and multi-use games area (MUGA) have both been completely refurbished, with new surfacing and fencing, and two new table tennis tables have also been installed.
An improved network of footpaths gives better access to the park, provides new walking and running routes and makes it easier for those with wheelchairs and buggies to get around.
A new picnic area, community orchard, trees, plants and swales (water channels planted with a mix of wildflowers and grasses) provide a ‘green heart’ to improve the biodiversity of the park and opportunities to connect with nature. The swales will reduce surface water flooding in and around the Rec. Improvements were also made to the water channel to the southeast of the park to create a gravel beach, meadows and wet planting to support local ecology. This area will be fenced-off during the first year to allow the new planting to establish.
All the main facilities are conveniently located in a central ‘hub’, surrounded by new seating, plenty of open space and four grass pitches of varying sizes. In addition, a new pitch has been created at nearby Battlebridge Recreation Ground so the Rec could accommodate the new facilities. Later this year, the Council will be making improvements to the existing pitches, by providing better drainage, ready for the next football season.
Something for everyone
Cllr Rich Michalowski, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Place, Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “It’s really exciting to see the plans we talked about with the community come to fruition. Whether it’s to socialise, play, be active, to relax or simply connect with nature, the new park is now a fantastic space with something for everyone.
“The designs were developed with input from residents, sports organisations and local groups at various stages along the way. We hope you’re pleased with the new-look park. It's there for the community to enjoy now and in the future."
Merstham resident Sue Reeves, said: “This revamp of the rec is going to be wonderful for Merstham. All the new facilities will make the rec so inviting for users of all ages.”
A formal opening event will take place later in the year.
The project was funded by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Community Infrastructure Levy funds (developer contributions), the National Lottery and the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
For more information about the Merstham Recreation Ground refurbishment, visit: reigate-banstead.gov.uk/merstham-rec.