Opening day for play area

Dozens of children flocked to Surfleet’s Glen Park for last Saturday’s re-opening of the children’s play area after a major refurbishment.

Some 25 months after it was forced to close because of repair costs and the effect of the Covid pandemic – thanks to the efforts of two local businessmen and a small army of volunteers.
Glen Park’s owners, Surfleet Play and Recreation Charity (SPARC), had to mothball the play equipment after the charity lost £26,000 during the lockdown and was unable to meet the £14,000 cost of repairs.
Glynn Waltham, who is also Chair of Surfleet Parish Council, and local landscaper, Dai Lewis, together formed a play area “rescue squad” and spent over two months getting the play area up and running again.
A spokesman for SPARC said: “It’s a joy to see the children enjoying the play area again and we are grateful to Glynn and Dai and everyone involved in getting it restored to full use.
“And it’s not just the children who are benefitting – we’ve had comments from parents telling us how great it is for them to be able to engage with other mums and dads again when they visit Glen Park.”
SPARC is setting up a special account for funds to go towards future maintenance of the play area, anyone who would like to contribute please email glenpark.surfleet@hotmail.co.uk.