The second stage of the Gostrey Meadow playground consultation has closed and the results are in!
Three playground designs were revealed in February and people were asked to vote for their preferred option.
The winning design is Option one which received 66% of the votes cast.
Option one includes:
- Inclusive play items that can be used by children of all abilities.
- Sensory planting
- Water play
- Brand new play equipment
- Seating
- Picnic tables
- A fully accessible surface which links the play equipment
- Shade from the sun provided by two large trees and a colourful tree bench
- Fun, colourful surface designs
- Multi-tower unit designed to resemble a mill local to Farnham
- Durable surface under the picnic benches
- High metal slide on the multi-tower unit
- Namaka spinner (carousel).
Thank you to everyone who took the time to give their views on the new play area designs.
Frequently asked questions and comments from the consultation
Why is there no sandpit?
Although very popular with children and parents / carers, the sand causes significant maintenance issues. It wears away the wetpour surface and gets into all the working parts of the other equipment causing parts to fail and need replacing. It is important that this new play area can look good and is safe to use for many years to come.
There needs to be more seating.
There are benches planned for the main area and when the new amenity building is completed there will be additional picnic tables with seating included.
What provision is there for disabled children?
Having equipment that can be accessed by both non-disabled children and those with health conditions or special needs was a key component of the original brief. The roundabout, picnic tables, play panels, water play are accessible for wheelchair users and many of the other equipment is designed so that a wheelchair user can get up close to the equipment. In addition, the equipment will be spaced out so that wheelchairs and pushchairs can move around the site freely. In addition, a communications board will now be included.
There needs to be more shade.
In the new play area, there will be two new semi-mature trees planted that will provide shade in the summer months. In addition, the new amenity building (toilets and storage) has a curved design with an overhang to provide additional shade (subject to planning approval).
Can more water play be included such as a splash pad?
Splash pads are very popular although unfortunately they are very costly and have considerable ongoing maintenance costs. Budgets have allowed there to be some water play included with the addition of the Water Play Unit.
Can there be more equipment for older children?
The play area is designed for children 11 years old and under however, six of the play items do have more challenging items that will provide a balance between risk and creative play such as the Mill Unit, Nest Swing and Stand up Seesaw. Farnham Town Council is also looking at adding facilities for older children in other areas such as table tennis, a trim trail and outdoor gym equipment.
What about additional facilities such as toilets, cycle racks and buggy park?
Farnham Town Council is planning to build a new amenity building with additional toilets and storage for events. Additions such as a buggy park and cycle parking will be considered as part of this project (which is currently subject to planning approval).
When will it be finished?
The play area will be built in two phases.
Phase 1 will be most of the new equipment, fencing and new surface up to a level with the edge of the Borelli Shelter closest to the river.
Phase 2 will be the new amenity centre (toilets, storage etc) with picnic tables and some more additional play equipment such as the water play and the refurbished Borelli Shelter.
It is hoped that the first phase will be completed before the summer holidays (July 2025) and the second phase will be later in 2026.
Will the old play area be closed during the build?
It is hoped that some of the old play equipment can still be used while the work is completed. It is vital that users of the play area are safe so this will be monitored regularly and reviewed.
New public conveniences for Gostrey Meadow
Alongside the playground project, Farnham Town Council is seeking planning permission to replace the existing toilets with new climate friendly public conveniences with four new cubicles for women, two for people with disabilities and two for men plus urinals. There will also be baby changing facilities. In addition, the building will include storage for the equipment which is needed for events held at Gostrey Meadow.
See the planning application for better toilets at Gostrey Meadow on Waverley Borough Council’s website.
Existing playground
The playground is monitored weekly, and remedial repairs continue to be made. We thank you for your patience.
How to stay informed
If you would like to be kept informed about the project, please email bloom@farnham.gov.uk.
