MAY 2022 FOX PLAY UPDATE: 

Fox Play is now fully open and ready to welcome back our younger visitors for plenty more adventures!

Opening event: 26 October 2021

• Hundreds of visitors came to try out the new play equipment
• We gave out a specially designed activity booklet and Fox Play stickers
• We received over 100 evaluation forms back and feedback was overwhelmingly positive 

    

Update 19 October 2021

• Volunteers have planted new trees and plants at Fox Play
• Chair of Trustees Jackie Bland and previous Chair Jon Marsden lent a hand with the planting
• Final preparations underway for opening on 26 October.

    

Update 26 September 2021

• Construction has finished on the play equipment
• All 13 pieces of play equipment are in place consisting of: Zip wires, climbing tower, slide, climbing net, tunnel, wheelchair accessible wobbly bridge, 6 tyre swing set, toddler swing, accessible upright swing seat, 4-seater seesaw, climbing stone stack, balance beams, bouncing buoys and forest fountains with pumps
• New accessible paths are complete
• New turf is in place

    

Update: 9 September 2021

• Accessible path network construction
• New play area surfacing and turf installed
• Wheelchair accessible wobbly bridge installed
• Tower in construction

  

Update: 12 August 2021

• Slide in position
• Zip line structures in place
• Swing structures in place
• Balance beams in place

  

Update 24 July 2021

• Path network and landscaping visible on site
• Play tunnel is in position
• Beginnings of the zip line are visible
• Forest fountains are in position

   

Update 08 July 2021

• The beginnings of the forest fountains are installed in the play area. These will be water fountains, operated by play area users with a pump. 

Update 21 June 2021

• On 14 June, the existing Lakeside Play area was closed to the public and the construction site for the new play area was prepared. mesh panel fencing was erected around the site. 
• Towards the end of that week, the existing play area was demolished and removed.
• On 21 June, Chair of Trustees Jon Marsden and Chair Designate Jackie Bland visited the site to see progress so far. 

   

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Following planning approval in 2020 for a completely redesigned and enlarged adventure play area at Lakeside in Ferry Meadows, construction of ‘Fox Play’ is due to start on 14 June.

Fox Play forms the next stage in updating and improving the play provision at Ferry Meadows, following similar successful developments of Otter Play in 2014 and Badger Play in 2016, designed to offer natural adventurous play for all ages.

Outlined in our Master Plan, which sets out the key strategic priorities and projects for Nene Park for delivery up to 2050, Fox Play will provide an exciting play area with water features, zip lines, raised walk-ways, climbing opportunities and plenty of new tree planting. It will be the biggest of our play areas, aimed at slightly older children, but accessible to a range of ages.

Designed by acclaimed landscape designers Davies White, Fox Play will cover 7,800 m2 and include thirteen different pieces of play equipment incorporating natural materials – water, sand, stone and wood. These will enable children to climb, crawl, slide, swing, splash and fly their way around the play area. In addition, with 230m of new surfaced paths, varied equipment and a range of seating, Fox Play offers increased accessibility, adventure and play opportunities for a range of ages and abilities.

The play area also incorporates ‘reconnecting with nature’ as a central theme. We will be planting 22 new trees of 5 different species  and there will be playful planting for people and nature throughout the area, with 1574 new plants added of 17 different species including nectar-rich and fruiting plants, which are good for wildlife. Our dedicated volunteer team will be involved in the planting for the play area.

By using the location of the current play space, Fox Play will be well served by existing access routes and provisions such as parking, bins, the existing Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre, Lakeside Farm Shop, toilets and café, as well as support from Park staff during core operational hours.

Thanks go to our generous funders for Fox Play who include FCC Communities Foundation and Viridor Credits Environmental Company. Nene Park Trust has also invested significant funds into the project.

     

FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund. Cheryl Raynor, Grant Manager at FCC Communities Foundation said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Trust to enhance the Park. It is a fantastic facility for local people, and we look forward to work starting shortly.”

Gareth Williams, Operations Manager at Viridor Credits, said “Nene Park Trust’s vision for the Park will create a wonderful, inclusive space for every member of the community. We are proud to be a part of that vision.”

Nene Park Trust aims to create outdoor facilities that are loved by the local community, to encourage children and families to spend more time enjoying the outdoors and exploring nature. Andrew MacDermott, Head of Development here at Nene Park Trust said, “We know how important outdoor play is to our visitors and we are really excited to be embarking on the construction of Fox Play. We are thrilled to see our plans become a reality for all to enjoy and are grateful to all those who have contributed their ideas over the last two years of development.”

Please see below an artist's impression of the new play area: