A programme to improve South Hams parks, play spaces and sports facilities is now underway, benefiting both residents and visitors to the area.

South Hams District Council has allocated around £1.9m to improve public spaces across the district by March 2010. This follows the production of a Public Space Strategy last year, and detailed assessments of the current condition of play areas, parks, open spaces and tennis courts by specialist consultants. The whole district will benefit greatly from the improvement programme.

Play spaces The programme provides an opportunity to breathe new life into play spaces, with around £1m being made available for specialist play equipment providers to rejuvenate the current facilities in more than 60 play areas. South Hams District Council’s Landscape & Recreation team will be working alongside local organisations and young people in deciding how the money will be best spent. The aim will be to produce enjoyable, accessible play spaces with challenging equipment, suitable for a range of age groups. This will also include skate facilities.

Parks and green spaces In terms of open spaces, £600,000 will be spent on rejuvenating up to 50 key parks and green spaces. There will be improvements to access paths, benches, bins, signs and other furniture. Some landscaping works will also be carried out to make these places more enjoyable to visit. Again, the Landscape & Recreation team will be working alongside local community organisations to determine how the money is best spent in South Hams.

Sports facilities Tennis facilities will also be upgraded, with £300,000 being spent on refurbishing courts in Totnes, Dartmouth and Kingsbridge.

To find out what is happening in your area, click on the list of towns and parishes on the left hand column of this page.