WORK is underway to build a new £150,000 play park in central Newquay.

Newquay Town Council staged a breaking the ground ceremony for the scheme at Mount Wise Gardens on Wednesday, May 27.

The play park, which is earmarked to open on Friday, July 24, will include climbing frames, slides, a bug magnifier, an inclusive totem, interactive play panels, a pirate’s lookout, a hammock and a somersault bar.

Outdoor playground manufacturer Wicksteed is the contractor for the project, which is being funded through a £50,000 donation from the Boardmasters Foundation and £100,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy.

The installation follows Cornwall Council devolving the freehold of part of the gardens to the town council.

Mayor Drew Creek said: “The breaking the ground for the new play park is a genuinely historic moment for Newquay.

“The town council received the land from Cornwall Council on the Tuesday and on day one we are breaking the ground for the play park.

“This project has been two years in the making.

“Two years of planning, of fundraising, of partnership building, and of listening. And I want to talk about that listening because this park didn’t start in a council chamber. It started with children.

“When I visited Trenance Learning Academy and Newquay Junior School, I was struck by how clearly and passionately the children spoke about what they needed.

“They weren’t asking for much.

“They just wanted somewhere to play, somewhere close to home, somewhere that was theirs. Those conversations stayed with me.

“They drove this project forward on the days when progress felt slow.

“The evidence is clear.

“Access to quality outdoor play spaces is transformative for children’s wellbeing.

“It supports physical health, mental resilience, social development, and creativity. For the families of central Newquay, many of whom don’t have gardens or easy access to open space.

“This park isn’t a luxury. It’s an investment. An investment in the health, happiness, and futures of the next generation of this town.

“The play park has been designed to be enjoyed by children of all ages.

“We are doing something more than laying the foundations for swings and climbing frames.

“We are laying the foundations for healthier childhoods, for stronger communities, and for a Newquay that truly looks after its young people.

“None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary support of our partners. I want to offer a very special and heartfelt thank you to Boardmasters whose incredible contribution of £50,000 has been absolutely central to making this a reality.”

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren added: “I think a play park is an amazing use of the land and it’s another way of promoting Newquay as a family destination.”

Lesley Friel, the manager of Newquay in Bloom, said: “I think a play park will make a big difference because the area has been neglected in recent years.

“It will be a breath of fresh air for this part of Newquay.”

Carter Creek, aged 10, said: “I’m especially looking forward to the swing, slide and bee pollinator sensory installation.”