A new state-of-the-art play area has been opened in Fair Oak as part of an improvement project led by Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council.
The play facility, located in New Century Park, was officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony on 16 July by the Mayor of Eastleigh and the Chairman of the Parish Council, along with children from Happy Days Preschool who were treated to a free ice-cream on one of the hottest days of the summer.
The opening, which marks phase one of the project at the park, comes after years of planning and saving by the Parish Council as well as utilising available Section 106 funding from Eastleigh Borough Council.
The play area design, installed by Vitaplay Ltd, was chosen by the Community following a community vote.
The next phase of the project will be to extend the community facilities to the site currently occupied by the Scout Hut, subject to completion of formal negotiations with the Scouting Association. The Parish Council will consult with residents via its website soon, to seek views on this second phase.
Cllr Helen Douglas, Chairman of the Parish Council, said at the opening of the ceremony: “It is great to see children of the Parish and their families enjoying the play area and making use of the new facilities. This is just the beginning of many improvements in the area and we will continue to listen to the needs of the residents to provide an enjoyable environment for all.”
