Building and improving play areas

East Sussex received a grant of over £2 million as part of the national Play Pathfinder project. Across the county, 34 play areas have been built or refurbished between 2008 and 2010.

Play is a vital part of every child's social and physical development, and encourages creativity and social interaction. Play areas are run by the local District and Borough councils – click through the links below to find out more.

Ore Valley Adventure Playground

The largest development was in Hastings, at Ore Valley. The site is free, and fully staffed by play workers. Adventure playgrounds give children the chance to enjoy risky play activities such as digging, making fires and den building, which are often frowned upon in other places. The indoor building and outdoor areas are laid out and enclosed in a way that shows this sort of play is encouraged and provided for. To find out more, please contact In2play on 01424 421201.

Eastbourne borough

• Hampden Park – new playground in Hampden Park
• Princes Park – both the Channel View playground and the Wartling Road playground have been refurbished with new equipment
• Sovereign Skate Park – refurbishment of existing skate park to replace old ramps
• Jerome Close – refurbishment of existing playground in the Langney area
• Victoria Gardens – refurbishment of existing playground in Old Town
• Tugwell Road – new playground in Hampden Park area
• Priory Road – new equipment in existing playground in Langney
• Willingdon Trees – new play area and youth facilities development as part of larger housing regeneration project with Places For People in Hampden Park

For more information on these parks visit Eastbourne Borough Council – Playgrounds

Hastings borough

• Ore Valley – a large new adventure playground
• Westhill – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment
• Shornden – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment
• Waterside Close – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment
• Seaside Road – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment
• Bembrook – new play area developed

• Wishing Tree – new play area in St Leonards

For more information on these parks visit Hastings Borough Council – Play facilities

Lewes district

• Denton Road, Newhaven – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment
• Eastside Recreation Ground, Newhaven – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment
• Fort Road, Newhaven – refurbishment of existing play area including new equipment and landscaping
• Parkour, Newhaven – an innovative new development on Valley Road in Newhaven. This site is dedicated to the popular but relatively new sport of parkour or ‘free running' It involves using the urban landscape to jump, vault and balance with the aim of getting from one place to another

For more information on these parks visit Lewes District Council – Children's play areas

Rother district

• Seabourne Road, Bexhill – newly developed play space
• Westfield – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment and seating
• The Clappers Recreation Ground, Robertsbridge – newly developed play space
• Battle – new play area developed by Battle Town Council on North Trade Road
• Etchingham – new play area developed by Etchingham Parsih Council
• Sidley – refurbishment of an existing play area with new equipment on Canada Way

• Pett – refurbishment of existing village play area, including new equipment

For more information on these parks visit Rother District Council – Play facilities

Wealden district

• Hailsham – new playground on Morris Thornton playing fields
• Frant – refurbishment of existing village green play area with new equipment
• Uckfield – large new skate park development supported by numerous partners
• Alderbrook – new playground development in Crowborough
• East Dean – refurbishment of existing village play area
• Heathfield – new skate park development just off the High Street
• Wadhurst – new play area including new equipment
• Hadlow Down – innovative new play area using the natural environment

For more information on these parks visit Wealden District Council – Skate parks, recreation grounds and play areas

More information about play areas

To find out more about play areas in a specific location, please click on a district or borough council on our page Parks and play areas in East Sussex.

You can also visit Czone, our website for Children's Services:

• Czone – Play Pathfinder Newsletters