Three play areas to get a makeover in the new year

The children’s play areas at Hogden Bottom in Kingswood, Beecholme Recreation Ground in Banstead, and South Park in Reigate will all receive new equipment and landscaping.

The Council’s contractors, Kompan, are due to start work at Hogden Bottom during the week commencing 5 January 2026 and this play area is expected to reopen before the end of January. Works will then follow at Beecholme Recreation Ground and a start date for South Park will be agreed in the New Year.

The play area refurbishments are designed with equipment and layouts aiming to include everyone and to ensure that a range of ages and abilities can learn, interact, imagine and play together. In addition to accessible elements, such as swings and roundabouts, play equipment features include inclusive grips, varied heights and wide steps.

Using recycled and natural materials, such as Robinia wood and recycled plastic, the new play features are selected with sustainability in mind, and there are nature-inspired elements too.

What’s coming

• Hogden Bottom play area: Wooden obstacles, such as stepping stones and a balance bridge, are made from sustainably grown Robinia wood; new climbing frames include hanging bars and slides. Inclusive features include a sign language communication panel and accessible swing.
• Beecholme Recreation Ground play area: New climbing frames include hanging bars, balance bridge and slides. Accessible features include a roundabout, swing, ramped play frame and sensory panels made from recycled food packaging.
• South Park play area: a new mini trim trail features slip resistant decking and recycled plastic posts, and inclusive features include a swing, spinners and a multi-activity sensory panel.

Cllr Nadean Moses, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability says: “Our ongoing investment in the borough’s 55 play areas helps to ensure every child has the opportunity to access safe, inspiring spaces where they can grow in confidence, embrace adventure and let their imagination run free.

“Outdoor play is vital for children’s physical and mental wellbeing and I hope that the children visiting these play areas, along with their parents and carers, will enjoy discovering and exploring the new features together. I would also like to thank you for your patience while these important improvement works are carried out.”

For safety, the play areas under construction will be cordoned off with Heras fencing and signage during the works and the new equipment will be able to open following a post-installation inspection.

The annual play area replacement programme

This usually seeks to replace two to three of the borough’s older play areas, selected following condition assessments and inspections. Last year the play areas at Fairfax Avenue in Redhill, Somerset Road in Meadvale and Woodmansterne Rec were all upgraded as part of the replacement programme.

Find out more about the borough's 55 play areas and skateparks here