The idea
We have a lovely spacious grass playing field that is inaccessible to many especially during the winter. We want to install an all weather safe accessible 400m walking/running track to utilise the field for exercise all year round. The track will be made of self-binding gravel, and circles around the outside of the field. This is part of a bigger project to redevelop the playing field into a park; with play and exercise equipment, benches, and landscaping. These areas will be linked by this path. We consulted with local residents and found overwhelming support for the project. So far we have organised volunteers to plant 40 trees on the field, formed volunteer groups to water them and to maintain our existing play equipment, and have had a fantastic response to our local fundraising appeal.
This path forms the backbone of our redevelopment plan. It also provide a car free route to visit Lympne Conservation area and access a number of footpaths from the main part of the village.
What we'll deliver
- 400m self binding, accessible gravel path
- Made from 96 tonnes of self binding gravel, 125 tonnes of type 1, geotextile membrane
- 8 sponsored benches as resting places around the track
- Small bike pump track with bumps and berms created from spoil
Why it's a great idea
We are creating a public space for the village, to socialise and exercise. The track will provide a safe place for children to ride bikes and play, enable wheelchair users to use the park, and people of all ages to walk and run. 4 laps of the track will mean people have competed the daily mile, and the track will also link the play areas and areas of planting. Benches spaced along the path will provide opportunities for people to meet and talk, and for people with reduced mobility to rest.
Lympne's identity as a village is about to change significantly as a new town is built on our border. We want to create a focal centre for the village, for events, formal and informal sports and for leisure. The parks and public spaces of the new town are located at a distance from Lympne, and our current play facilities are lacking. Our new park will be a space where people can relax, exercise, play meet, learn about our village's history, volunteer in community gardening and join activity groups.
Steps to get it done
- Secure agreement for the plant and labour to install the path
- Purchase the materials required
- Restrict access to the field while work carried out, and notify public in advance of the restrictions
- Dig and lay the path over 4 days (3 days plus 1 contingency day)
- Restrict access to the field for 1 week for the gravel to set
We have run an 'adopt a bench scheme' and fundraised the cost of the benches from residents in the village, raised almost £2000 in cash donations from local people and been granted approximately £4500 in total from Kent Community Foundation and The Cooperative Community Fund towards the costs of the works. A local landscaping firm has provisionally offered to donate labour and discounted plant hire to build the track, and we are in the process of discussing this offer with them.
