Denham Way Playing Fields
Awarded: £75,000
Region: Central
Three Rivers District Council is a District Council in Hertfordshire.
An award of £75,000 from HS2 Funds has allowed the District Council to provide new and improved facilities at the Denham Way Playing Fields in Maple Cross. This has involved installing a new accessible play area, multi-use games area, informal skate plaza, floodlit tennis courts and a functional fitness zone with an outdoor gym. The existing pavilion has also been reconfigured to provide a community building for hire and use by local groups. The project has delivered some conservation and wildlife improvements, both through planting and the creation of new wildlife habitats. Additionally, walking trails have been installed to improve the accessibility of the playing fields and encourage people to explore and fully benefit from the improvements across the site.
Increased opportunities for play, physical activity and socialising
The new facilities, which have been well used, have provided opportunities for play, sport and physical activity. Working with Get Set 4 Tennis, they have been able to offer tennis lessons and coaching on the new tennis courts. New community activities will also be provided in the pavilion which will encourage more people to come and use the facilities. Residents have reported that they now feel safer in the park and it is used as a meeting place for people to socialise with friends and family.
New habitats and corridors for wildlife
The conservation and wildlife improvements have provided new habitats and corridors for wildlife. Wildflowers, grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees have been planted which will encourage pollinators and in turn, birds and mammals. In partnership with the local school, they have also created bug hotels, a reptile bank and bird boxes. The children have visited the site to observe the differences in nature. It has been noted that there is an increase in wildlife activity across the site and these improvements will add to the biodiversity across the district and enhance the green corridors for nature to thrive.
“It is wonderful to see these new facilities being provided at Denham Way. I am delighted that this project has been such a success and I know it will offer so many new opportunities for lots of people to make good use of these playing fields. Many thanks to everyone who has made these exciting plans a reality.”
Cllr Chris Lloyd, the district council’s Lead Member for Leisure
