Local residents are being invited to a consultation event on 24 July, from 09:00 to 17:00 in the Council Chamber, to help decide the future of former playground sites around the town.

After extensive public consultation including local schools and the Youth Council, Harlow Council recently took the decision to close 20 of its playgrounds to invest over £1 million in brand new equipment and improvements for the remaining 42 play areas.

The reduction in the number of sites - which have already been agreed for closure - means the council will be able to provide better and safer equipment at the playgrounds that remain open, and should also enable an increase in council patrol visits to keep them clean and safe.

Among the options for the future of the former playgrounds are:

• returning them to formal regularly mown grassland


• allowing wildflower areas to develop


• planting trees and shrubs


• providing informal sports and meeting facilities for older children such as basketball hoops and seating

No decision on the preferred option has yet been taken, and local people are being invited to say which they think is best. No work will begin on any sites until after the summer holidays. Liberal Democrat environment and community spokesman Cllr Eleanor Macy says:

"We understand that there will be sadness at the closure of some of the playgrounds, but our priority is to ensure that children can enjoy playgrounds that are well equipped and safe. There are no second chances when it comes to child safety and I am sure that parents will confirm this. Harlow Council has invested over £1 million in new equipment for the remaining sites which will meet all health and safety requirements. I hope people will get involved with the consultation and tell us what they think about the future use of the sites."

A questionnaire is also available online; the deadline for replies is 7 August.

The play areas which will close when all the other sites have been upgraded are: Blackbush Spring, The Briars, Cock Green, Denby Grange, Felmongers, Guilfords South, Fennells, Hull Grove, Jocelyns, Latton Common, Longbanks, Little Pynchons, Pennymead, Perry Spring, Seymours, Sycamore Field, The Downs, Town Park toddler play area, Vicarage Wood, Whieldon Grange and Wooding Grove.