Three play areas in some of Lincoln’s most deprived communities are set to receive a major boost.
This comes after confirmation that City of Lincoln Council will be awarded £270,000 in Government funding to improve play provision.
The funding will be awarded through the Government’s Playground Fund, which aims to improve access to high-quality, accessible and inclusive playgrounds in areas of greatest need.
City of Lincoln Council is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government to accept the funding, which will be used to improve The Backies in Moorland, the King George V Playing Field in Glebe, and the Sudbrooke Drive Recreation Area in Minster.
The three sites were selected following a detailed review of play provision across the city, considering levels of deprivation, the number and quality of existing play facilities, accessibility and the needs of local communities.
Of the Government funding, £240,000 will be used for capital improvements, with £90,000 allocated to the Backies, £90,000 to the King George V Playing Field, and £60,000 to the Sudbrooke Drive Recreation Area. A further £30,000 of revenue funding will support project delivery and evaluation.
The investment will focus on improving the quality and accessibility of the play areas, with the council working with local communities, schools and other stakeholders to help shape the improvements. Community engagement with children, families and residents will be a key part of the design process, in line with the requirements of the Government’s funding programme.
The council’s Play Area Funding project team is also seeking approval from the council’s Executive on 15 September to progress the programme and to approve the additional funding needed to maximise the impact of the Government investment.
The additional funding being proposed includes £143,235 from Section 106 contributions and £135,000 from the council’s existing investment programme.
This would take the overall capital investment in play areas to £518,235, allowing improvements to be made at The Lawn and Nene Road alongside the three sites benefiting from the Government funding.
Subject to approval, the project team will then progress consultation, design and procurement work, with improvements expected to be delivered through a phased approach to the work in the period May to December 2027
Cllr Rebecca Longbottom, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, said:
“This £270,000 of Government funding is a fantastic opportunity to improve play provision for children and families in communities where investment is needed most.
“We’ve carefully considered where this money can have the greatest impact, looking at levels of deprivation alongside the quality and accessibility of existing play facilities. The Backies, King George V and Sudbrooke Drive were identified as three areas where improvements can make a real difference.
“Importantly, we’re not stopping at the Government funding. We’re using existing council and Section 106 funding to build on this investment, taking the total capital investment in play areas to more than £518,000.
“We know how important good-quality, safe and accessible places to play are for children and families. We want these improvements to create spaces that local communities can be proud of and that children of all abilities can enjoy.
“We’ll be listening to the residents, children, schools and community groups that want to get involved as the plans are developed, so that the improvements reflect what each area actually needs.”
The Government’s Playground Fund provides £270,000 to each of 66 eligible local authorities across England, with the funding split between 2026/27 and 2027/28.
Its objectives include targeting areas with higher levels of deprivation to improve accessibility, inclusivity and the long-term sustainability of local playgrounds.