New Dell Play Park opens thanks to the determination of local volunteers and support from the community and partner organisations.
Nearly a decade after a small group of local volunteers shared an ambitious vision for transforming The Dell into a vibrant new play park, that vision has finally become reality.
The official opening of the new play park marks the culmination of years of dedication from the Friends of the Dell group, whose determination, perseverance and countless volunteer hours have driven the project from its very beginnings.
Co-founder of Friends of The Dell, Suzanne, explained the original inspiration: “I have lovely memories of the park from when I was growing up but it had fallen into disrepair and it felt like that place wasn’t there anymore and that something important was slipping away. So we wanted to put it back and create a space where children could come and play, use their imagination and have fun, as we did.”
What started in 2016 as a community dream to create an exciting, inclusive play space for local families has grown into one of Chepstow’s most significant community partnership projects. Alongside the Friends of the Dell, both Chepstow Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council have played key roles in helping bring that vision to life, alongside community groups and businesses who have offered support.
The journey has been far from straightforward. Situated beside Chepstow’s historic town walls, the project required not only planning permission, but also archaeological investigations, heritage approvals, environmental surveys, drainage assessments and detailed design work to ensure the play park could be delivered while protecting one of the town’s most historically significant locations.
Chepstow Town Council supported the project at every key stage of its development, from an early grant of £1,000 in 2017, £4,675 towards planning in 2021 and £8,475 to fund specialist archaeological work in 2022, before making a landmark commitment of £100,000 towards delivering the play park. This consistent backing demonstrated confidence in the volunteers’ vision and helped strengthen the successful National Lottery bid that ultimately brought the project to fruition.
Friends of the Dell member, Vicky, told us more about a key milestone “A significant point was winning National Lottery funding in 2018 to put on a family fun day. We filled the Dell with people and it was a wonderful to see the community get behind the project; seeing hundreds of people and community groups all come together to enjoy the space really reiterated the purpose and the importance of community space and connection”.
Monmouthshire County Council has led on many of the technical aspects of the scheme, guiding the planning process, securing the necessary consents and coordinating delivery of the project, making this a true partnership between local government and the community.
Behind every new piece of play equipment are years of meetings, fundraising, consultation, design work and determination of Friends of the Dell. In it’s opening week, Suzanne told us “We’re absolutely excited and ecstatic. My son was 3 when we started this project; he’s 13 now. Our children have always been our inspiration and even though we haven’t managed to get this open in time for them to play on it, we’re so happy that it’s going to be there for the hundreds of children that will use it in the future.”
As families begin to enjoy the new play park for the first time, it stands as a lasting testament to nearly ten years of community effort and to the volunteers whose ambition, resilience and dedication made it possible.
Vicky told us “I’m incredibly proud of us four women who were determined to get this off the ground and determined to see it through. It’s a massive achievement and we want to celebrate that, but we’re not ready to stop! We remain committed to getting the next phase with the slide connecting the park to the castle completed.”
On the opening, Chepstow Town Mayor Cllr Vanessa Badderley-Potter said “We are incredibly proud that Chepstow Town Council has been able to support this project from the beginning, but today the real credit belongs to the Friends of the Dell and everyone who believed this could happen. I hope this play park brings years of adventure, laughter and happy memories to generations of local children and families.”
Photos:
Members of Friends of the Dell cut the ribbon to open the park: Suzanne Moore-Osley, Vicky Burston-Yates, Karen Chadwick, and Rebecca Balloch
Members of Friends of the Dell on opening day: Suzanne Moore-Osley, Vicky Burston-Yates, Karen Chadwick, and Rebecca Balloch
Children play on the park after the ribbon is cut
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