By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

 A new children’s play park has opened in Bitterne Precinct.

• Delayed Bitterne Precinct revamp set for unveiling

 

The city council scheme has transformed a concrete slabbed area of Bitterne Precinct into a space packed with equipment for youngsters.

Described as Southampton’s first urban play park, the facility includes a mountain trail with slide, kuma climbing structure, spinner bowl, somersault bars, stepping bods, over under bars, toddler tower and scooter springer.

An unveiling event took place on Wednesday, April 23, with cabinet member for green city and net zero Cllr John Savage cutting the ribbon.

Cllr Savage told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It was a concrete walkway and slabs right the way through the middle of it but now having play area here it means people become attracted to the whole area.

“Families come, the kids will play, the parents can do their shopping as well, grandparents can come along and chat to people who they may well have seen last weekend.

“It means we have got investment coming into the area which helps to lift the retail offer of the whole retail district and that’s what we want.”

Cllr Savage said the Labour administration was looking at providing similar attractions, not necessarily play spaces, in the city’s other district centres to encourage residents to spend time doing their shopping and spending time with friends.

Video of Cllr John Savage discussing the opening of the new play park in Bitterne Precinct. Video: LDRS

The scheme was announced in October 2024 and developed by the council, working with Kompan Play Equipment and Schofield Groundworks.

Bitterne United Reform Church donated a ginkgo tree, which has been planted within the play park and near the church.

Thornhill ward councillors Andy Frampton and Josh Allen were also present for the soft opening event.

Cllr Allen said: “We are quite close by and a lot of our residents use Bitterne Precinct as a kind of hub area, even getting the bus or cycling down and it’s great there are places for families to hang out and hopefully it will bring a bit of life into Bitterne Precinct.

“It’s great for kids to have opportunities to get active and connect together with other families, connect together with other people, so it’s really positive.”

Photo: LDRS

Cllr Frampton said: “This is a fantastic addition to a declining high street as a lot of them are and hopefully this will attract more business to come in, families will be able to sit around with their children, meet their friends.

“It’s just a perfect addition to what we need in this area.”

Previously

Delayed Bitterne Precinct revamp set for unveiling

See our piece from last October for more background

More previous Bitterne Precinct news