Children and families in the north of the city are now enjoying exciting new play equipment which has been recently installed at a popular play area, after the previously installed equipment had unfortunately been damaged beyond repair.

At King’s Hedges Recreation Ground (known locally as The Pulley), a new climbing dome unit has recently replaced a large castle-themed playhouse, which was badly damaged in an arson attack shortly after it opened last year.

The Pulley play area had enjoyed a full refurbishment during 2023-24, which saw old and obsolete play equipment replaced with modern, dynamic and inclusive new equipment for the whole community to enjoy.

In addition to the new climbing dome, severely damaged surfacing around the equipment has been repaired and replaced where necessary with a new rubber mulch surface. 

Cllr Martin Smart, Cabinet Member for Nature, Open Space and City Services, said: “After the unfortunate damage to the wooden play castle at The Pulley park last year, we worked with local ward councillors to replace the damaged play equipment and repair areas nearby which had also been affected. Unplanned works take time, but equipment was ordered and the works scheduled as soon as possible so that local children would not miss out for any longer than was absolutely necessary.

“It’s really great to see children able to enjoy the whole of the play area once again.”

Regular maintenance and safety checks at the playground, as well as the other play areas across the city, are carried out by council officers who hold the Register of Play Inspectors International Operational Standard qualification. An additional annual inspection is undertaken by the council’s insurers who provide their own inspector to offer an independent view of the safety of the equipment the city council provides. 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommend that inspections at public play areas are undertaken every 12 weeks, but Cambridge City Council goes beyond this recommendation, with inspections every four weeks during the winter, increasing to fortnightly in busy summer periods. 

Cllr Smart further said: “The safety of children is an absolute priority and we will not compromise that in any of the provision of play equipment across the city.”