Contractor Appointed for Milburn Park Play Area
Newbiggin by the Sea Town Council has appointed Wicksteed Leisure to deliver the new play area at Milburn Park. This exciting £150,000 project includes a contribution of £50,000 from Northumberland County Council, and £30,000 generously donated by a local landowner. Wicksteed Leisure is due to commence works in the new year with the play area expected to be complete by 31st March.
County Councillor Liz Simpson, on behalf of Northumberland County Council, “A contract has been awarded for the construction of a new playground at Milburn Park, this will be a welcome addition to the West End of the Town. Well done to Newbiggin Town Council”.
The creation of the new play area will see the old Spital Burn play area at the Needles Eye being removed and returned to grass. The fencing from this site will be recycled into the new play area. Originally the play area was planned for the grass next to the bowls green but we listened to your feedback and have relocated it to an existing tarmac surface at Milburn Park (the old tennis courts).
Tom Benson on behalf of Wicksteed Leisure, “Wicksteed Leisure are extremely pleased to be part of this exciting project! Our bespoke lighthouse is one of a kind and key to creating a play area befitting of it’s location, which will draw locals and visitors alike into the area for many years to come”.
The design will have an eye catching 5m high lighthouse multi play unit, a roundabout, swings, a seesaw, a surf rider, a buddy board, a play scape ice cream parlour and talking pirates. The new play area will provide more modern, accessible facilities for our local children and is also hoped to attract families to walk the whole length of the bay to explore our town and encourage tourists from the nearby caravan park.
Councillor Louise Spratt, Mayor of Newbiggin by the Sea, commented, ‘It is very exciting to see the development of the new play area at Milburn Park and working alongside Wicksteed to provide our local families and visitors a new play facility. Bringing Milburn Park up to date and safe has been in our upmost thoughts and hopefully it will bring joy and fun to children of all ages and abilities.’
The original plans that the community were consulted on in 2020 included splash play facilities as phase 2 of this development (between the new play area and the allotments). After conducting an exercise based on maintenance costs for splash play facilities elsewhere, the Town Council have expressed concerns about the inclusion of splash play facilities at this site. The Town Council are currently considering alternative ideas for phase 2 and will further consult with the community on this in the new year.
