Community group volunteers and donations keep Upper Eskdale community hub running. Victoria Long, the community group leader, contacted Jupiter Play seeking help to reinvent their garden area. The purpose of the garden area has changed over the years, starting as a school playground and ending as empty space. There was nothing that encouraged the children to get involved in community activity.
Victoria searched the local area and found all the playgrounds were the same. The results saw all worn down and aged parks that did not cater to parents. This encouraged her to start her campaign with the rest of the community group in attempt to improve Upper Eskdale community hub space. Initial stages of this meant applying to funding schemes, where she was accepted by Tesco Bags of Help Scheme. Upper Eskdale community group raised enough money, with help from Tesco funds, to provide a new play area for the community to enjoy together.
The group held numerous consultation events to ensure they installed products locals would enjoy and make use of. The community group provided Jupiter with the information they received from the locals, which we incorporated into our design. Our team created a natural play space which lends itself to the Upper Eskdale community hub garden. The designers also incorporated inclusive elements to ensure everyone in the community could play together.
The Local’s Response
Everyone has been really welcoming to their new community space. As a result, the play area has attracted a lot more families to the Upper Eskdale Community Hub space. Consequently, people of all ages come and use the space to play and socialise with each other. In turn, it has also helped increase trade at the Cafe, helping the space become more self-supporting. The community group are already planning future phases because of the increase in footfall from the locals.
The Community Group’s Response
“We are over the moon to see the Playground now complete. It adds so much to the garden which up to now was rather a bare uninteresting area. It has also hugely increased the attraction to the Centre as a whole. Combined with the Cafe and other facilities, the Playground is an amazing facility and one which we are sure will attract more families with children. It is very heart-warming to see parents and grandparents playing there as well, especially some of the locals who come to play nearly every day!”