18/04/2024
Groups work together to give play park a vibrant upgrade
At Beavans Court playpark in Great Yarmouth are, from left, Newtidse Homes housing officer Amanda Beasley, neighbour Tracey Clarke, her daughter Aisha Clarke and her son Caiden, four, Clarion Housing Group neighbourhood response officer Myron Abodunde and resident involvement officer Melanie McAdam
Families have welcomed an upgrade of a popular neighbourhood play park in Great Yarmouth.
Newtide Homes – part of Flagship Group - and Clarion Housing Group joined forces to fund improvements to the park at Beavans Court, an area where both housing associations own homes.
Each group pitched in £5,000 for a new circular swing, balance beam and other improvements at the park, which has become a focal point of the community.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC), which owns the park, commissioned the designs and carried out resurfacing, maintenance and repairs.
Newtide Homes team member Emma Hall said: “Last year, Newtide and Clarion carried out a survey of local residents to see if they were still using the play area and what they would like to see there.
“There were quite a few families with younger children who said they wanted to make better use of it. The results look fantastic. We’re all about giving back to the communities we serve and creating places where everyone can thrive.”
Beavans Court playpark in Great Yarmouth
Melanie McAdam, resident involvement officer from Clarion, said: “This was a great example of different organisations all working together to get something done. We’re delighted to have worked with Newtide and GYBC on something this vibrant community can enjoy.”
Councillor Emma Flaxman-Taylor, the council’s portfolio holder for Housing, Health and Communities, said: ‘’We were delighted to work in partnership with Newtide and Clarion to make such good improvements to the popular play area at Beavans Court.
‘’Working closely with families in the area we are delighted to have delivered a range of new facilities which we know people will enjoy. As well as the new equipment, the council has contributed towards new signage for the area, painting and maintenance.
‘’We hope the improvements will be enjoyed by the whole community and are grateful to our partners for bringing this to fruition.’’
At the playpark were, from left, Clarion Housing Group resident involvement officer Melanie McAdam, resident Holly and her children James, five, and Jessica, nine, neighbourhood response officer Myron Abodunde and Newtidse Homes housing officer Amanda Beasley
Among the fans of the new equipment is Aisha Clarke, 24, who visits every day with her son Caiden, four, to see her mum, Tracey Clarke, who lives right next to the park.
Aisha, who also used to live at Beavans Court, said: “I used to use the equipment myself here when I was younger. I think the new swing is great.”
Another resident, Holly, said: “The kids are really happy with the equipment”. Her daughter Jessica said: “I am good at balancing”.