Children in Grantchester are set to get an upgraded playground thanks to a £72,000 Landfill Communities Fund grant from FCC Communities Foundation. 

The money will be used to replace tired and outdated play equipment at the Recreation Ground on Stulpfield Road in Grantchester, adding to the play and exercise value for all youngsters and making the playground a more sociable and inviting place.

Lesley Sherratt, Chair of Grantchester Parish Council, believes the upgrade of equipment and seating on the Recreation Ground will make a huge difference to the lives of families living in the area. 

She says “This refurbished playground will provide a real boost to young families and other residents in Grantchester.  It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to Phase 2 of this refurbishment, focussing on younger children and parents/grandparents, taking shape over the next few months”.

FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Penny Horne, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager, says: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Grantchester Recreation Ground – Upgrade of Children’s Playground project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families within Grantchester. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”

Lesley hopes the new play equipment will be ready to use by late June

The existing playground for children in the village was installed 20 years ago when the land was acquired in 2003. At the time it was funded with the financial support from WREN – the predecessor to FCC.  Most of the equipment is now beyond its recognised life. The Parish Council therefore wants to upgrade the Recreation Ground to provide a safe, accessible and inviting play area, for children, parents, grandparents and carers.

Phase 1 of the refurbishment, paid from the Parish Council’s own reserves, was undertaken in October 2023, and replaced two major climbing structures for school age children.  Phase 2 addresses the needs of pre-school children as well as adding to the play and exercise value for all youngsters and making the playground a more sociable and inviting place for all within the village.

Additional seating and tables will provide areas for visitors to enjoy this less well-known area of Grantchester.