WITH the fantastic new play park at Alum Chine set to open later this month, we write to address comments made in the Echo last week (5 May) in the article ’New seafront playground 'won't be fit for purpose'’.

We believe the improvements at Alum Chine Play Park will be warmly welcomed by families with children of all ages and we will meet our ongoing aims of providing first class facilities in Bournemouth.

A popular park nearing the end of its serviceable lifespan will now continue to provide a safe play environment and to delight families, encouraging more children to be active for longer, with adventurous and imaginative new play opportunities.

Consultation was undertaken in early 2016 with an open survey available online promoted through the council’s media channels, and paper surveys at the play park. Survey questions were also included in the council’s March e panel. Almost a thousand responses were collated. The results highlighted the need for the park to incorporate elements to cater for older children, better provision for seating, and drew multiple comments that it was “getting tatty” and needing renovation.

The playground has been designed with children of all ages in mind by Aileen Shackell, a landscape architect with around 25 years’ experience working in parks and open spaces including play areas, and the co-writer of ‘Design for Play – a guide to creating successful play spaces’, nationally recognised guidelines endorsed by both the Health & Safety Executive and ROSPA.

We work to a schedule with a completion aim, and there are always elements beyond our control, such as the weather so we are keen to ensure the end date we publish is achievable. The work was programmed in spring as in winter progress can be slow, we lose more days to bad weather which negatively affects budget and on a practical level, planting and seeding doesn’t take for long periods or simply fails.

We set out to deliver the new facilities ready for Summer 2017, as publicised in our news item of December 8 2016, and we are delighted that smooth running of the project will see the park open ready for children to enjoy during the local half term holiday at the end of May.

Let’s celebrate all that Bournemouth has to offer, enjoy the commitment to improvements in our town that are benefitting both local families and visitors, and leave the verdict to the children. I feel sure that our work will be rewarded in happy smiling faces come May half-term.

Andrew Emery, Resort Development & Strategic Planning Manager

Michael Rowland, Parks Development Manager Bournemouth Town Hall