Big boost for education and recreation facilities in South Downs National Park
April 30, 2025
Learning and play opportunities for children are being boosted by funding administered by the National Park Authority.
Droxford Junior School was awarded over £37,000 funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to provide new play and outdoor education facilities.
The funds have been been spent on an outdoor classroom and amphitheatre, a new trim trail, low ropes and den building area, along with new plants for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Droxford Junior School is also an ambassador school for the South Downs National Park and they are instrumental in helping other schools engage with outdoor education.
Meanwhile, Greatham Parish Council was awarded £90,000 in CIL funding for the creation of an inclusive, accessible playground at Greatham Village Hall.
The final playground design included accessible equipment and catered for ages from pre-school right up to 15 years plus.
The playground includes a wheelchair accessible roundabout, accessible swings and sensory panels. The surfacing and paths ensure the whole play area is accessible for wheelchair users or parents with prams and includes access directly off the tarmac car park.
Nikki Allen, CIL Planning Officer, added: “The playground has become a focal point for the village, which has enabled those with and without gardens to meet and socialise and allow play for two or three hours with picnics. Families are also visiting from the surrounding villages to make use of this wonderful facility.”