Children asked to help design new wild play park in Ashurst

KIDS are being asked to help design a new wild play site in Ashurst which could feature dens, balancing logs and mini beast hotels.

The national park authority and the local parish council are looking for families to put forward ideas for the area which will be built on Ashurst and Colbury Recreation Ground in Whartons Lane.

It will be the third New Forest permanent wild play site and will be funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Claire Pearce, wild play officer for the national park authority said: “I am excited to start work on our third wild play site at Ashurst and Colbury Recreation Ground, following the ones we’ve already launched at Holbury and Sway.

"This site is right at the heart of the local community and is an ideal place to help show families how they can incorporate wild play into children’s daily lives.”

The project is also looking for volunteers who would like to take an active role in the development and running of the site.

They can help design and create the site, run events for local children and families there and carry out general maintenance. Training and expenses will be given.

Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council clerk Helen Klaassen said: “The parish council is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the New Forest National Park Authority to create a new wild play area for our recreation ground in Whartons Lane and is really excited about the extra dimension it will bring to the children’s outdoor play.”

To submit ideas, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/ashurst-wild-play-site-development

If you would like to volunteer, contact Claire Pearce on 01590 646606 or email claire.pearce@newforestnpa.gov.uk.