Quinnell Drive Children’s Play Area Benefits from New Improvements

Children and families in Hailsham are set to benefit from a series of improvements at the Quinnell Drive play area, as Hailsham Town Council continues its ongoing investment in enhancing outdoor play facilities across the town.

The latest upgrade has transformed key areas of the popular neighbourhood playground, introducing new equipment and improved safety surfacing to create an even more enjoyable and accessible space for young visitors.

As part of the works, the existing junior climbing frame has been replaced with a brand-new team swing, encouraging cooperative and inclusive play. A refurbished spring-mounted play item, previously reconditioned as part of another Town Council playground improvement project, has also been installed, giving the equipment a new lease of life while making effective use of existing resources.

The Council has also installed new green metal bow-top fencing around the perimeter of the play area, improving both its appearance and security.

One of the most significant improvements has been the replacement of the existing bark safety surface with modern black wet-pour surfacing. The new surface offers enhanced durability, improved accessibility for families with pushchairs and mobility aids, and provides a safer, lower-maintenance environment for children to enjoy throughout the year.

Tony Lee, Operations and Facilities Manager at Hailsham Town Council, said: “Providing high-quality, safe and accessible play areas is an important part of the Town Council’s commitment to supporting children, young people and families across Hailsham. The improvements at Quinnell Drive not only introduce new play opportunities but also ensure the site remains safe, modern and welcoming for years to come.”

“Our playgrounds are inspected regularly by trained members of our maintenance team, allowing us to identify and address issues quickly, whether they arise through everyday use or vandalism. By investing in improvements as equipment reaches the end of its life, we’re able to keep our play areas attractive, safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Hailsham Town Council currently maintains children’s play areas at Battle Road, Stroma Gardens, Quinnell Drive, South Road and Maurice Thornton Playing Field, providing a network of free, high-quality outdoor spaces for local families.

All playground equipment complies with current health and safety standards and is subject to routine inspections carried out by the Council’s maintenance team, including a member of staff qualified by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). These regular inspections help ensure that equipment remains safe, fit for purpose and compliant with the latest regulations, while enabling any damage caused by vandalism or general wear and tear to be identified and repaired promptly.

The Quinnell Drive improvements form part of a wider programme of investment in Hailsham’s play facilities over recent years.

In 2022, the Town Council completed a major refurbishment of the Western Road Recreation Ground play area, creating a modern, inclusive facility with a wide variety of equipment suitable for children of different ages and abilities.

Since then, further enhancements have been delivered at Maurice Thornton Playing Field, including the installation of a 30-metre aerial zipwire, replacement of the inclusive roundabout and new wet-pour safety surfacing throughout the site.

At Battle Road, improvements have included a new multi-play unit, swings for older children, a dual swing set, a cradle swing for younger users and a new inclusive roundabout replacing the former Whirly Bird. The site has also benefited from new wet-pour surfacing, sensory play panels, activity boards and an inclusive picnic bench.

Councillor Dave Chapman, Chair of the Town Council’s Assets Management Committee, said: “Outdoor play is essential for children’s health, wellbeing and development, and we’re committed to ensuring our playgrounds continue to meet the needs of local families. These latest improvements at Quinnell Drive are another example of the Council’s ongoing investment in creating attractive, inclusive and well-maintained play spaces across Hailsham.”

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in upgrading our playgrounds in recent years and will continue working to improve facilities wherever possible, ensuring future generations can enjoy safe and accessible places to play.”

Anyone wishing to report damage or vandalism at any Town Council-maintained play area should complete our online form. Alternatively, call 01323 841702 (Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm) or email enquiries@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.