Wet fun returns to Dukes Meadows

Pioneering new play area begins construction

Work begins this month on a pioneering new play area on Duke’s Meadow.  The new architect designed play area will include a shallow pool with a fountain, sandpit and a refreshment kiosk, as well as trees and shrubs donated by Stanhope PlC.

The Friends of Duke’s Meadow (FODM) started the project five years ago when local people prioritised recreating the old paddling pool, closed ten years ago, in a survey carried out by the Friends.

Paul Allen from FODM, said, “The general trend has been for paddling pools to close, so it’s great we can move in the opposite direction and create something the community really wants. We hope that once the play area is up and running, it will act as a model that other areas can look to and recreate, so hopefully, more people can enjoy a low cost, family friendly day out.”

The £350,000 to pay for the new park came from the Friends own funds with generous contributions from Living Spaces, the London Marathon Trust, Brett Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and Hounslow Council.

Paul said, “We are very grateful to all our funders whose vision has made this project possible and to Councillors John Chatt and Paul Lynch who have been great supporters of the project”.

Hounslow Council Leader, Cllr Colin Ellar, said “Children need somewhere safe where they can enjoy the best part of being a child – playing! This project meets that need in a distinctive and original way, making it a great asset for the whole community. It is also a fantastic example of how people can come together behind an idea, and work towards making it happen. As well as being a great resource for local people, it’s a model project for other areas to learn from.”

February 10, 2006