A successful bid for National Lottery Funding has secured £100,000 towards the regeneration of the Dell play area in Chepstow.
The funding was obtained by the volunteer group Friends of the Dell Park Chepstow, in partnership with Chepstow Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council. This means creating a new destination play park should be underway early next year.
This now brings the total raised for the new park to £225,000, with Chepstow Town Council already pledging £100,000 and £25,000 received from Monmouthshire County Council. The Town Council also contributed an additional £13,000 towards initial design fees and costs for the successful planning application.
The new destination park will see the removal of existing outdated play equipment to make way for a modern and more natural play environment, complementing the historic port wall that runs alongside the park. Play boulders, accessible swings and a roundabout will all be installed, as well as new pathways, seating and wildlife planting.
Inspiration has also been taken from Chepstow’s rich past, with the inclusion of a bespoke wooden boat. There are also plans for a castle-themed slide running down the Dell’s embankment, subject to securing an additional £70,000. The group is currently crowdfunding for this feature.
Vicky Burston-Yates, Chair of FDPC, said: “This has been a real pinch me moment for our group. We are immensely grateful to the National Lottery for seeing the value of this project and to everyone else that has backed us along the way.
“The park will stand as a lasting legacy for Chepstow, and we take great pride in our role in bringing it to fruition. We can’t wait to see the park filled with joy and laughter for generations to come, and to see the wider benefits it will hopefully bring to our beautiful town.”
Cllr Margaret Griffiths of Chepstow Town Council said: “The Town Council is delighted that the National Lottery has recognised the need for this park and that it supports the large contribution made by the residents of Chepstow through the precept raised by Chepstow Town Council”.
Cllr Angela Sandles, MCC Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “It is fantastic to hear that the Dell Park will now be able to serve the children of Chepstow for years to come.
“It has been a popular destination for families through the years but has needed attention in recent times.
“This work will stand the park in good stead to remain a popular draw for the town.”
