£1 million investment is now being used to upgrade children’s play areas across four Southend parks, with work already underway and all sites set to be transformed by Spring.
The improvements form part of the Council's Parks Improvement Programme and the wider Civic Pride agenda to create safe, inclusive, and high-quality green spaces for local families.
Refurbishment works are now progressing at Southchurch Park, with work at Oakwood Park, Friars Park, and Bournes Green Park to follow shortly. The designs have been shaped by resident feedback through the Council's Your Say Southend consultation.
The upgraded play areas will offer new and refurbished equipment, improved safety surfacing, better accessibility, and new benches, paths, and planting to encourage biodiversity and family-friendly use all year round.
Cllr Lydia Hyde, cabinet member for climate, environment and waste, said: "Our parks are at the heart of our communities, places where families connect, children play and people enjoy being outdoors.
"I am pleased to deliver on my Better Play motion from 2022 and see it come to life with new play spaces for the city's children. This £1 million investment will breathe new life into older play areas, helping us create a citywide network of inclusive, high-quality parks that support active lifestyles, improve wellbeing and boost biodiversity for years to come."
Cllr Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, added: "This is another clear example of our Civic Pride agenda in action, investing in our city, improving neighbourhoods, and ensuring that every resident can enjoy quality public spaces close to home."