New play park opened in Pilley features wheelchair accessible merry go round

A new play park in Pilley was officially opened during the recently held Boldre fete.

Donna Mortimer cut the ribbon in memory of her husband Lester, who was a village councillor.

The existing playground near Boldre War Memorial Hall has been relocated to another part of the recreation ground and refurbished, in order to make way for the new Pilley community shop.

Children can now enjoy wooden slides, climbing towers and a variety of swings; and there is also a wheelchair accessible roundabout.

The playground was financed by Boldre Parish Council, along with donations from the community and local organisations including The Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation, Boldre WI and Yacht Havens Ltd.

Sherwin Small, vice chairman of the council, said: “This was a wonderful example of people working together for a common goal.”

He said he was “really pleased” with the work done by Redlynch Leisure and the landscaping provided by New Forest Turf.

The play equipment came from Patrick Kempe.

Cllr Jo Humphreys added: “The community really pulled together to make the whole project such an incredible success; there was a lot of work involved from initial consultation to completion.

“Oliver Moore and Sherwin Small led our team, and Boldre Hall committee and Pilley Community Shop provided invaluable support.”