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Upset parents brand revamped Haslam Park playground a ‘let down for families of Ashton’

Posted on - 17th April, 2021 - 8:00am | Author - | Posted in - Ashton-on-Ribble, Kid's stuff, Parks, Preston Council, Preston News
Haslam Park playground muddy ground Pic: Bev Best
One parent said her boys lost their trainers in the mud at Haslam Park playground Pic: Bev Best

Upset parents have branded the refurbished playground at Haslam Park ‘shockingly bad’, ‘a disgrace’, and ‘a let down for the families of Ashton’.

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The comments came in response to Blog Preston’s coverage of the park reopening in March after various delays.

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Works carried out during the four-month closure included refurbishment of existing equipment plus installation of new apparatus.

But parents are complaining about sub-standard equipment, unfinished paths and mud causing issues underfoot.

Posting on the Blog Preston Facebook page, Sue Hogarth said: “My sister was on there yesterday and she said it was horrendous.

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“One of her grandchildren dropped his football in the mud and she had to hold on to him as the mud was sucking his feet. His trainers were ruined.”

Even worse for Jen Dewing, who said: “Both my boys lost trainers in the mud.”

Helen Louise Moss agreed, saying: “It really is a let down for the families of Ashton. The ground is just as bogged with mud as it always has been.

“Such a shame, Haslam Park is a fab park to visit and has so much potential for visitors but currently its playground is just an accident waiting to happen!”

Mud at Haslam Park playground Pic: Bev Best
The Council says “newly disturbed ground takes time to settle” Pic: Bev Best

Sarah Jane also believes the state of the Ashton-on-Ribble park poses a safety risk.

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She said: “Clearly the funding went on brews and biscuits as none of the flooring has been fixed. Temporary fuzzy felt has been put under the swings which has already ripped. Old equipment hasn’t been repaired or repainted. Just shocking. Someone will hurt themselves soon.

“It’s a joke and yet South Ribble have amazing and safe play areas for the children. They get great services all the time. Preston gets naff all or shoddy work every single time.”

Other parents also pointed out what they see as a difference in quality compared to park facilities provided south of the river.

Read more: Complaints made about the ‘state of Moor Park pond’

Matthew Hayhurst said: “This park refurb, if you can call it that, is an absolute disgrace.

“Local council elections are coming up and I think it’s about time for some change. You just need to look at what has just been done in Penwortham (South Ribble Borough Council) to show what can be achieved.”

In response to the complaints, Ally Brown, Director of Communities and Environment at Preston City Council, told Blog Preston: “The recent refurbishment at Haslam Park play area was always required to be a partial upgrade as it was dependant on the external funding available – a total of £42,000.

“We have completed as much work as possible and this has improved the play value of the site thanks to the funding but are very aware that the painting of the old equipment needs attention; this would be part of a second phase should further funding become available. We’d always love to be able to do more but have had to prioritise works, along with dealing with Covid delays.

“Newly disturbed ground takes time to settle and grass seed needs time to establish and we would ask everyone to please stay off those bare ground areas as much as possible, giving it time to recover sufficiently.”


Read moreSee the latest Preston news and headlines

Have you been to Haslam Park since it reopened? What did you think of the facilities? Let us know in the comments.

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