Bexley Council is set to invest approximately £2 million in upgrading playgrounds across the borough, with a significant portion of this funding dedicated to enhancing play facilities this year.
The investment, detailed during a council meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, will see improvements made to several play areas, with around £1 million earmarked for immediate upgrades.
Councillor Rags Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, outlined the plans, stating that the total investment is an ongoing commitment over the next few years. Beyond the current year's allocation, the timeline for the remaining £1 million is not yet explicitly detailed.
Playgrounds set to benefit from the upgrades include Halbury Lane, where equipment has already been replaced, and Danson Park, which has seen its Pyramid Climber unit refurbished. At Royal Park Playground, six units damaged by arson are being replaced, with the new equipment designed to include inclusive elements, a non-verbal communication panel, and the necessary safety surfacing.
Further enhancements are planned for September and October. A consultation for The Dell in Crayford received feedback from 300 residents. Beyond this specific consultation, the council indicated that further resident surveys are planned for future playground upgrades, ensuring ongoing community input on design and features.
Councillor Eliot Smith, a West Heath Councillor and resident, inquired about the inclusion of West Heath Recreation Ground in the upgrade plans. Councillor Sandhu confirmed that approximately £180,000 is being invested in the West Heath playground. A public consultation on the Ask Bexley website is underway to gather resident feedback before the project, scheduled between November and March, is rolled out.
The council's commitment to improving play facilities was highlighted as part of a broader investment in community spaces.