Dover District Council confirms work will begin in May with completion targeted for summer holidays, following National Lottery funding success.
The Investment Details
A £155,000 overhaul is coming to Kearsney Abbey’s play area. Work starts early May, wrapping up by July.
Dover District Council bagged National Lottery Awards for All cash plus their own funds to make it happen. HAGS scooped the contract after a competitive tender – though the council’s already hedging its bets on that summer deadline. Ground conditions and weather could throw a spanner in the works.
Families shouldn’t count their chickens just yet.
What’s Coming to the Site
The star attraction? A whopping great multiplay unit crammed with slides, tunnels, climbing walls, fireman’s pole and net seating. This one’s aimed at kids up to 14 – older than your typical playground fodder.
But here’s the real kicker: proper inclusive kit. We’re talking wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline, Mirage swing seat, basket swing for different mobility needs. A multi-user seesaw too, plus Braille sign language panels and a dedicated Sensory Corner.
About time, frankly.
Part of Bigger District Plans
This isn’t Dover District Council’s first rodeo. They splashed out £180,000 last year on play areas at Travers Road in Deal, Marke Wood in Walmer and the Bulwarks in Sandwich. The Kearsney redesign came after summer consultation with local families – giving parents actual input rather than presenting them with a fait accompli.
Timeline and Next Steps
First week of May kicks things off. Site gets cordoned off for roughly two months, with HAGS already mobilising equipment and crews for the spring start.
Ground surveys are happening now. July reopening? That’s the target to catch peak visitor season.
Weather permitting, obviously.
Key Takeaways
- £155,000 renovation begins in May with July completion target
- New equipment includes wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline
- Part of wider £180,000 district investment in upgraded play areas
What This Means for Kent Residents
Dover district families get another proper play space by summer – and this time with genuine accessibility rather than box-ticking exercises. The Kearsney upgrade follows successful renovations in Deal, Walmer and Sandwich, showing the council’s working through east Kent’s outdoor recreation systematically. Parents dealing with mobility or sensory needs finally get purpose-built equipment in one of the area’s busiest country parks.
Kearsney Abbey Play Area Gets £155k Makeover with Wheelchair-Accessible Equipment Quiz
5 questions