Old Copse, Havant

The latest programme of play area refurbishments is now live and we want to hear your views on how we could improve Old Copse play area in Havant (PO9 2XB).

Subject to funding, Havant Borough Council plan to improve the provision at this site to ensure it meets the needs of our community.

To make sure the new design is shaped and influenced by the people who visit this play area, we want to hear from you on what should be included so that the play area is suitable, fun and long lasting.

We are asking for your initial views at this stage which we will then use to develop a plan for this play area and ask for your feedback on these proposals.

Scroll down to have your say!

Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Initial feedback

Initial feedback

Phase 2: Next steps

Next steps

Initial feedback

22 July 2026 23:00 - 12 August 2026 22:59

For the initial feedback phase, we want to hear all of your ideas for how Keats Close play area could be improved.

In particular, we'd love to hear your views on:

What equipment (such as swings, slides or climbing frames) would you like to see included in this play area?
What other provisions (such as seating, bins or landscaped greenery such as bushes, shrubs or grassed areas) should be considered for this refurbishment? What type of surface should the play area have (e.g. grass, wood chips, soft tarmac)?
What types of materials and colours would you like to see in this refurbishment? Would you like to see graphics on the flooring (e.g. hopscotch or other games) and if so, what should these include?
Why would these improvements be important to you?
Which other play areas do you visit and why?

Please note that your comments will be publicly available to view.

5 ideas

Sue Doxat4 weeks ago

Elizabeth Grant4 weeks ago Old Copse Road play area is very close to my home and I am thrilled that this consultation will give local families the chance to access a truly welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for local children of all ages and abilities to play, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.As a mother with a young baby, having access to a high-quality local play space is incredibly important to me. It is somewhere I hope my child will be able to grow, develop confidence, make friends, and enjoy being active in a safe environment. I know many other local families share the same hopes and would benefit from thoughtful and worthwhile investment to create a well-maintained, accessible community space where children can play freely and parents and carers can meet and support one another.One of the site's greatest strengths is its natural setting. Visiting on foot is the current way to access the area, and the generous amount of open space, mature trees, and the stream should be protected, as this will create a beautiful environment which will encourage imaginative play, exploration, and connection with nature. Shaded benches, litter and recycling bins should be plentiful in the play area and in the wider space. In the play area, a durable, impact-absorbing rubber safety surface would be preferable, as it is accessible, low maintenance, and suitable for year-round use. I would like the refurbished play area to include a good mix of equipment for different ages and abilities, including babies, toddlers and older children, comprising of swings, slides, climbing frames, balance beams, and a small zip line if feasible. A roundabout and sensory play features would also help make the space more inclusive and engaging to all abilities and ages. There should also be suitable play options for children with additional needs. Natural materials such as timber combined with durable modern materials in bright, welcoming colours would be appealing to the children, and the flooring could include fun graphics such as hopscotch, obstacle trails, number and alphabet games. It is also worth mentioning that it is essential that families, especially those with young children, feel safe and confident using the play area throughout the day. Measures such as the installation of CCTV and increased visible neighbourhood policing would help deter antisocial behaviour and reassure parents and carers that the area is being actively looked after. This to me, and I'm sure many others, is just as important as providing high-quality play equipment.I believe that investing in Old Copse Road play area is an investment in the happiness, health, wellbeing, and future of our community. Every child deserves access to a local, safe, inclusive, and inspiring place to play, and this space could become somewhere that my child and I, and many local families, look forward to using for many years to come.

Maisy W4 weeks ago

Accessibility Matters4 weeks ago Hope you don't mind us messaging you as a group 'outside' your area.My name is Jemma, and I’m writing on behalf of Accessibility Matters (Nottingham) CIC. We are a community interest company focused on improving accessibility and inclusion within public spaces, particularly playgrounds and outdoor recreation at present.We have been undertaking research into how playground tenders and specifications are developed across local authorities, alongside engagement with playground suppliers, with the aim of identifying good practice and supporting more inclusive design from the outset.Through this work, we’ve identified some recurring challenges, including:Variations in how “accessible” and “inclusive” are defined and appliedEquipment being labelled as inclusive without delivering meaningful usability for disabled childrenGaps at specification stage which can limit inclusivity in final designsWe are currently engaging with local authorities who have upcoming playground projects, to share a set of practical definitions for accessibility and inclusion designed specifically for use in outdoor playground design, specification, and tender evaluation.Our approach has been developed to:- Translate inclusive play principles into clear, usable procurement criteria- Support consistent and defensible evaluation across bids- Ensure accessibility is embedded in design quality as well as complianceWe understand from engagement with Play England that accessibility and inclusion are key priorities within many current playground funding programmes, and are often reflected in their criteria and guidance frameworks. Our definitions are broadly supported for use by Play England in relation to outdoor playgrounds.This aligns closely with the direction of current sector practice, where commissioning teams are increasingly seeking clearer ways to evidence inclusion beyond minimum compliance requirements.Given your upcoming projects, we would be happy to share a short, practical set of definitions to use in your upcoming tender documents and future projects.We are also offering a pilot program for playgrounds in certain areas, which could help visitors and the public, it has the potential to be leading the way for councils to improve accessibility and inclusive development of areas. Pilot areas are decided based upon criteria; spaces are limited and by agreement only with us. We aim to have a maximum of 4 pilot areas, with two already agreed.Our Work is offered at no cost currently and without obligation—our aim is simply to support authorities in delivering higher-quality, more inclusive play environments in line with current expectations.If useful, we would be happy to send the details over or arrange a brief call to discuss it further.Many ThanksJemma2026 National Diversity Awards Nominee – Disability Role ModelAccessibility Matters (Nottingham) CICT:07512 213770

Kevin Grant4 weeks ago This park is close to where we live, so having a good quality local playground would be a huge benefit for us and other families in the area. It's a great setting for children to explore nature as well as enjoy the playground itself. I'd like to see a play area that offers something for children of different ages and abilities. A mix of swings, slides, climbing equipment, balance features, a roundabout, sensory play equipment, and maybe even a small zip wire would keep it interesting as children grow. It's also important that there are accessible play options so children with additional needs can enjoy the space too. A rubber safety surface would be a sensible choice. The play area should be securely fenced so younger children can play safely, with benches for parents, and litter and recycling bins to help keep the area tidy. Unfortunately, antisocial behaviour can put families off using public spaces, so measures such as CCTV and regular neighbourhood patrols would help make parents feel more confident bringing their children there. I think investing in this play area would be a real asset to the community.

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Old Copse, Havant

Scroll down to have your say!

Phases

Initial feedback

5 ideas

Natural type surfaces are far better for kids to learn about the environment away from chemicals in plastic and rubber.

A safe, clean, welcoming and inclusive play park for all children

More for babies toddlers and safety

Accessibility and Inclusion

Play area update

Filters

Old Copse, Havant

Scroll down to have your say!

Phases

Initial feedback

5 ideas

Natural type surfaces are far better for kids to learn about the environment away from chemicals in plastic and rubber.

A safe, clean, welcoming and inclusive play park for all children

More for babies toddlers and safety

Accessibility and Inclusion

Play area update

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