Denham Way Playing Fields officially reopens following our refurbishment works to provide new and improved facilities

Appointed by Three Rivers District Council, the improvement works were funded by the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and further supported by a £75,000 grant from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund.

Works began in December last year and were phased throughout the winter and early-spring months, enabling parts of the playing fields to remain in use throughout, avoiding disruption to the local community.

The project includes renovation work to the existing pavilion which now provides a new kitchen area with an outdoor serving hatch, an improved indoor area, new toilets, a refurbished patio and an improved event and activities facility available for hire.

The new facilities at the playing fields include:

• An outdoor gym
• A MUGA/skate park ramp
• Playground/recreational space
• Eco-friendly floodlit tennis courts
• Table tennis tables

A new pathway also offers year-round access and provides a route around the new facilities for residents and local communities.

The new tennis courts are installed with modern low level-eco-friendly lighting which was designed by the School Renovation Company ⁽¹⁾ and influenced by the Make Space for Girls ⁽²⁾ team, a charity that campaign for parks and public spaces to be designed for girls and young women and their safety.

Biodiversity has been a key focus in the improvement works and new habitats have been developed to encourage wildlife to flourish. Features include a seasonal pond, log pile houses, a stag beetle logger, bug hotels, bird boxes and a reptile bank.

The reptile bank and large bug hotel are all made from recycled materials and pupils and teachers at Maple Cross JMI School attended site to help with the build.

It is hoped that these new habitats will provide safe places for amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts, as well as insects such as stag beetles, to thrive. The new wildlife also provides a tactile learning space for local school students to visit and explore.

The new facilities were officially opened on Saturday 13th May 2023 by the Chair of Three Rivers District Council Councillor, Debbie Morris.

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References / links

1. The School Renovation Company, “About Us,” [Online]. Available at: https://www.theschoolrenovationcompany.co.uk/about-us/
2. Make Space for Girls, “About Us,” [Online]. Available: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk/about-us