More than £50,000 is being invested to create a brand new play area for children at a park in Kingswinford.

Work has started on the new facility in Cot Lane and it is hoped it will be finished before the end of the school summer holidays. All of the existing equipment, which is out-dated and has been in place for a quarter of a century, is being ripped out and replaced. New safer surfacing is also being installed.

New equipment will include monkey bars, a roundabout, slide, seesaw, rope nets and swings. It will be designed so it is more accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues. Emma Jones, chair of the Friends of Cot Lane Park, said:

“As a committee we are really excited about the new park equipment and what it has to offer all the children in the community. The current park has become very outdated and we wanted to provide a safe and fun place for children to play.

“I would personally like to thank all the members of the committee for their hard work, dedication and commitment over the last two years. Without their support none of this would have been possible, and the fact that all of this has been done on a voluntary basis makes us even more proud of what we have achieved.”

The project, which will cost £55,000 in total, is being funded by Ibstock Enovert Trust, Enovert Community Trust, Dudley Council and funds allocated through the local community forum. A community fun day will be hosted at the park on September 7 to celebrate the new play area, with members of the public invited to attend. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, added:

“I’m delighted that the council has been able to support the Friends group at Cot Lane to make this project a reality. As this park is in my ward, I know only too well how much this new equipment is desperately needed and how much it will be welcomed by children and parents in Kingswinford.

“I salute the Friends group for all their hard work, and look forward to seeing it when it’s finished.”

The Friends group is looking for volunteers to help complete some tasks while the new play area is being rebuilt, such as painting fences around the site. Anyone who can spare a bit of time is urged to contact Emma or Zoe by email.