Get ‘ship’ shape on the new Viking swing at St Matthews Field
Following an extensive consultation exercise with local residents, Winchester City Council’s Landscape and Open Spaces Team has invested in improvements to Dean Park and St Matthews Field in Weeke, something for all ages to enjoy. The works, which were funded by the newly completed Westman Road development, provide many benefits for the parks in this area.
The outdoor gym at Dean Park and trim trail at St Matthews Field are designed to help improve local residents’ health and well-being, providing free facilities for all. The new picnic benches at Dean Park are a welcome addition to this popular location and are already in regular use.
A key feature for St Matthews Field is the addition of a Viking rope swing which encourages children to work together, the first of its kind in the area. The swing along with the new basketball hoop and existing football goals provide much needed recreation facilities particularly for older children.
Other improvements at St Matthews Field include a new footpath, fruit trees and the addition of a new gate for Weeke Primary School pupils to easily gain access to the park.
The Headteacher from Weeke Primary School, Michelle Loughrey said:
We are very pleased with the new security gate that has been installed on the school site enabling the school to supervise and manage the children’s safe access to the new park facilities during the school day. The children are very excited about the park and are looking forward to exploring the area and trying out the new equipment. I hope the new community facilities will also encourage more young people and their families to use the area.
Members of the School Council helped Council staff to plant the new apple and plum trees which we hope they and the local community will harvest in years to come.
Cllr Frank Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing, said:
This is another project where the Council listened and has delivered above expectation. The free outdoor gym equipment is a fantastic development for the park and will be a great benefit for the sports development programmes we run.
I am impressed the equipment offers resistance training enabling any age or ability to workout. This is a great example of the Council joining together with residents to make Winchester an even better place to live.