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Spencers Field Play Area

Havant Borough Council, working in partnership with The Spencers Field Community Group, are working to refurbish the play area in Spencers Field. This project will provide much needed refurbishment to the current limited play offer.

To ensure that any refurbishment meets the needs of the local community, we would like to hear your views so that new provision is suitable, fun, challenging and offers longevity. Feedback provided will inform the specification for refurbishment works.

This activity is now closed - keep an eye on our 'Feedback' tile for updates on this project.

To view ideas submitted by other participants, please scroll down this page.

Phases

Phases overview

Your ideas for Spencers Field Play Area

Your ideas for Spencers Field Play Area

8 February 2023 - 8 March 2023

We are keen to hear your ideas for Spencers Field Play Area. This will inform its future design and refurbishment.

To submit an idea, please use the green "submit your idea" button on the top right of the page.

Please note that other participants on this site will be able to view your ideas and/or attachments once you submit them.

You can also comment on other posts, or agree/disagree with other comments. These will be listed at the bottom of the page under "Ideas."

25 ideas

Theo Schofield3 years ago In our view it should be a project of high quality that the community can be proud of, and contribute to their sense of place and achievement.It should encourage children to be active and enjoy being there. There is plenty of space and this could be used imaginatively, for example a track for scooters and small bikes.It should also be a place for families to meet, and having seating for parents would be essential.We suggest that it should have safe paths leading to the community centre and nursery, and if possible also into the neighbouring wood.We also hope that attention will be given to how the "Cage" besides the community centre can be improved for the benefit of older children and young adults, and if this requires further funding don't hesitate to ask.Dr Theo Schofield

Jenny Steadman3 years ago I think if you're creating a new play area you need to incorporate something for different age groups. Havant park is a good example of this - swings for both young and older children, a small climbing area with a little side and a larger, more challenging climbing area for older children. The soft, springy tarmac ground could have painted areas like hopscotch or snakes and ladders. A roundabout, seesaw and slides are a must. A sandpit like the one in the Southleigh Road park would be popular too. Trampolines that are built into the ground are always a hit.Natural and recyled materials would be a good choice although there would be a requirement for brightly coloured plastic or metal equipment for longevity and to ensure they're vandal resistant. Plenty of seating for parents and grandparents, or a picnic bench or two, and a few bins away from the play areas (in case of wasps).Play equipment designed for all abilities would be more inclusive.The car park needs better line marking and clear indicators for disabled parking. And I agree a fenced off area would be required as lots of dog walkers use the green.

Emma Bailey3 years ago

Tayla Smith3 years ago

Hannah Greenaway3 years ago A few ideas from us….Kids castle/ shop/ cafe as an undercover play hut. Or some sort of ‘tree house’ Perhaps a bouncing area? Mini trampoline at floor height…Rocky area for clambering/climbing. Long slide down the hill. Obstacle course- climbing walls, tunnels. Monkey bars etc.One special request from my daughter is to some how include the spinning posts that are already there…A picnic area, or some where the children and adults could gather to sit or eat. Possibly with a little shelter over the top for cover from rain. educational stations? Wobbly bridge!! Thank you!

Hannah Hayles3 years ago

DAVID CROCKFORD3 years ago It would be great to have simple play equipment targeted at primary school age children and below. Slides, swings and a roundabout would be great. If there is a play station in the park it would be great if it can be designed so that younger children can climb up it safely. This should be in a fenced off area given the cars and the animals that use the park. The park should avoid rocks which can be dangerous and sheer drops. The grass in the park is not cut all that regularly so flooring throughout (as at the Verity's Gift park) would be great to keep the park useable all year round.

Amy S3 years ago

Tina Collier3 years ago A toddler play unit with slide separate to an older children unit.An older children play unit with slide.The pirate ship is a favourite with my son, so seeing this refurbished would be great. Please do include a slide down as well as climbing down options.An in ground trampoline (or 2)Climbing wall option with perhaps a trim trail type course.Swings including toddler swings.sand pit is great.A roundabout (another favourite of my son as parks in general)benches for adults to sit on to watchbins for rubbish

Tara Datchens 3 years ago The play area needs to be better protected from dogs, dog owners will often let their dogs off lead in the neighbouring field and they run into the park which can be frightening for young children. The dogs often dig in the sand pit too and it’s very unhygienic. All weather surfacing, similar to what’s been recently installed in the Verity’s Gift park in Emsworth Recreation Ground is a must. If there has been rain we actively don’t visit Spencer’s Field for this reason as much of it is boggy and flooded but it’s by far our nearest park so would be brilliant to be able to use it in all weather. The sand pit is a nice idea but there’s far too much of it and it would be nice to be able to use the pirate ship without also going in the sand. A separate pit would be a nice idea for dedicated play. Some seating for picnics or benches for adults would be a lovely addition too.

Gemma Gilbert3 years ago

Wilf Forrow3 years ago It's not just about toddlers and primary school age kids. The biggest gap is for teenagers to hang out safely in small friendship groups, without being seen as gangs of trouble-makers and asked to move on, or bullied or cat-called.My eyes were opened by 'Space for Girls', who explain brilliantly about the challenges all teenagers face - and not just girls - boys who aren't in the 'cool gang' too. Who knew about social swings? I didn't, but that's one thing we could easily build to make safe space for teenagers.I strongly urge everyone to watch it, on YouTube - it's very short: https://youtu.be/eDn4qVGLMbs?t=841

Beth Wright3 years ago

Charlene Watson-newman3 years ago With the park being on our doorstep we think it would be brilliant with a bike/scooter track, would be nice to have the slide back on the hill too. Could you please build the park for all ages as my children are 10,8,1 as there isn't anything for them todo at present. Swings, roundabouts, sandpit,climbing colourful and fun. As there is a lot of space could you please consider the track for bikes and scooters that's from my 10 year old son.

Ian Southall3 years ago

Beth Wright3 years ago

Siobhan newbitt 3 years ago My son would love to visit this park more, with it being right on our doorstep. We love that it is being redesigned and look forward to seeing this completed, not just for ourselves but also the other children in the area. It would be great to see the usual play area equipment like slides, swings, a roundabout, climbing frame, etc. However due to the size of the plot and the terrain it would be lovely to see, like others have suggested a perimeter track for scooters, skates etc. I think it would be a good idea to have extra bins and picnic areas available, aswell as a secure fence due to the amount of dog walkers in the area. Also more lighting should be considered for in the evenings as it can be a hang out spot for teenagers, which would hopefully discourage unwanted behaviour and vandalism. Personally I wouldn't like to see a sand pit/area as you never know what's in them.

Natalie Miller3 years ago Fencing is highly important, it provides a safer experience for the children and also means dog owners can't easily let their dogs foul in the playground. A few different slides of different heights, but also easily accessible. Very frustrating when kids want to get to small slides and they can only get their via an impossible climbing wall or vertical ladder..! These should be included, but as long as there are steps for the less able, too!Grassy mounds and natural areas, shade sails (as black tarmac is like a frying pan in our increasingly hot summers) in fact, the less tarmac the better!! These encourage imaginative play and varied games.Someone mentioned a scooter track around the edge, great idea, could have road markings.. would be a great way for kids to learn to ride safely.Benches in sheltered spots for families to picnic. Bins. People will spend longer outdoors if they can sit and enjoy it.Wood as materials though I understand it's more expensive.. but generally the less ground covered in tarmac the better for heat and nature provision.Good playgrounds include Holly Hill in Park Gate, Denmead, Hogmoor, Alton Public Gardens, Sky Park Farm, Canoe Lake Southsea.

Leanne Bull3 years ago Myself & my family moved to woolmer street just over a year ago and my two youngest are 8 & 2 and the park is literally on our door step. Fencing around the park is a must to keep kids safe from cars and also to keep dogs out.(I have dogs myself but they don’t need to be running in the play area especially as not everyone clears up after their dogs. Some sort of seating/ picnic area would be great for the summer. Definitely would love to see the big slide back on the hill. Play areas for both younger and slightly older children would be great. Wouldn’t be a park without swings. Maybe a zip slide that’s always a favourite doesn’t have to be massive. Sand pit that could be closed off as we have a lot of cats around here. Seesaw, trampolines built into the floor, hopscotch, also a smaller slide for the little ones. Maybe some sort of wooden play house or pirate ship. And like someone else said the grass doesn’t get cut that regular so some sort of sort ground that doesn’t need to be cut and maintained as often. Also I visit my sister in America quite a bit and all their play areas are plastic to with stand cold and warm weather. As I think metal unless maintained will eventually look tatty like it does now.

WILLIAM FERGUSON3 years ago

Lucy Lawrence3 years ago A jungle theme would be nice with lots for the children to climb. A climbing wall and zip wire. The hill in the park could be made taller with a slide attached to it and sandpit at the bottom. Seating with picnic tables essential. Plenty of swings, there could be a roundabout swing with different swings attached like the park in Wickham or a rope swing that swings from side to side, this tends to be popular with older children also.

Sue Marten3 years ago

Donna Rowett3 years ago

Beth Wright3 years ago

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