NEW accessible play equipment has been installed at the Fair Salts play area in Rye to help improve access for children with mobility issues.

The new equipment, provided by Rother District Council, includes a new wheelchair accessible roundabout, play panels and an inclusive seesaw.

All the new equipment is accessible to wheelchairs directly from the playground’s main path.

Additional short pathways to improve access to more of the equipment have also been created between the new roundabout and the existing multi-play climbing frame as well as from the new seesaw to the swings.

The council considered two options at the end of last year for the playground improvements.

Residents were invited to vote for their preferred proposal, and the design from leading outdoor play company KOMPAN was the chosen option.

Those who voted were also able to choose their preferred colour for the roundabout, and their favourite play panel.

The most popular roundabout colour was red, and the top three play panels were ’Show me how to play’, ‘Driving with mirrors’, and a musical play chime panel.

The new play apparatus has been designed to be as barrier free as possible to ensure all children can use the equipment easily.  

Cllr Hazel Timpe, portfolio holder for Neighbourhood Services at Rother District Council, said: “Play is such an important part of childhood, and every child should be able to experience the joy of playing.

“I am absolutely delighted we have been able to provide this additional equipment at the Fair Salts play area, which will improve access to play opportunities for children with mobility difficulties.”

The Fair Salts play area is located on Fishmarket Road in Rye and is the largest public play area in the town.

The play area has a wide range of equipment from toddler swings and spring animals for younger visitors to an aerial skate unit and climbing unit for older children and teenagers. Existing inclusive play facilities include a dish roundabout, an inclusive seat on the ‘Titan’ rotating swing unit, and sound orbs and talk tubes.

Rother District Council maintains more than 30 public outdoor play facilities in Rother and more information about these can be found on the council’s website at www.rother.gov.uk/leisure-and-events/play-in-rother/play-facilities/

Published: 13th May 2024