Victoria Park play area officially opens

Children and families can now enjoy a transformed play area at Victoria Park, following the official opening of the newly improved facilities. 

The upgraded play area has been designed to be more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for children of all ages and abilities. New features include an accessible play deck with step-free access, an inclusive roundabout, new swings, enhanced toddler play equipment and improved pathways throughout the play space. New seating and picnic benches have also been installed around the popular Splash Pad, creating a more welcoming place for families to spend time together.  

The project is part of the wider Victoria Park Masterplan, which was developed following consultation with local residents and park users to identify priorities for future improvements to one of the town's most valued green spaces. 

The play area was officially opened by the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council, Councillor Mike Kennedy CBE who cut the ribbon before joining Councillor Chris Hobbs, officers, and project partners for a tour of the new facilities and to see first-hand the improvements delivered through the project. 

Councillor Mike Kennedy CBE, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council, said: " We are delighted to officially open Victoria Park's new play area and welcome local families back to enjoy these fantastic facilities at the heart of the Haywards Heath community. 

"It is wonderful to see this new play area open and ready to be enjoyed. The investment has created a high-quality, inclusive space that will help ensure the park continues to be a place where people can come together, be active, and enjoy the outdoors for many years to come." 

Councillor Chris Hobbs, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Customer Services, said: 

"This project is part of the Council's wider investment in parks and open spaces across Mid Sussex, ensuring our communities have access to high-quality places to play, exercise, and spend time outdoors. Through the Victoria Park Masterplan, residents told us they wanted better play facilities, improved accessibility and a more welcoming environment for families. Working closely with our project partners, Allen Scott Landscape Architecture and Blakedown Landscapes, we have brought those aspirations to life. 

"We would like to thank residents, businesses and park users for their patience while these improvements have been carried out. We know how important Victoria Park is to the local community and we're pleased to be able to celebrate this significant milestone." 

Work to improve access from South Road is continuing and will be completed as part of the wider project. This element of the scheme has proved particularly complex due to the need to accommodate drainage infrastructure and carefully protect nearby mature trees, while delivering improved accessibility into the park. Alternative access points remain available while these works are completed. 

As part of the final stages of the project, some newly landscaped areas have been seeded and temporarily fenced to allow grass to establish. Visitors are asked to help protect these areas while the new planting becomes established.

You can find out more about Mid Sussex’s parks and open spaces at: www.midsussex.gov.uk/leisure-sport/parks/ 
 
To stay up to date with the latest progress on the works at South Road and other Masterplan projects across the district, visit our Engagement Hub: Green Spaces Engagement Hub | Mid Sussex District Council Community Engagement Hub

ENDS