Family criticise park and say it is 'not inclusive at all'

A family has criticised a newly-installed children's play area aimed at supporting inclusivity at a Leicestershire park.

Equipment including a zip line, balance trail, climbing frame and sensory area are in place at Brocks Hill Country Park, Oadby, which opened at the end of July.

But the parents of one young girl, who is dependent on a wheelchair, said the playground was "not inclusive at all" as it was at the top of a steep hill with no paths.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, which runs the country park, admitted there had been "accessibility challenges", but hoped the play area would "meet the needs of a wide range of children".

Louisa and James's daughter Anna, eight, has Pitt-Hopkins syndrome - a rare genetic syndrome.

"It affects all parts of her development," Louisa said. "Her mobility, speech, her understanding. She loves people and being around other children, so parks are great places to go.

"She needs stimulation, movement - things like swings and roundabouts - the same as other children."

The parents, from Wigston, said they were "shocked and extremely disappointed" with the new park and raised concerns over access issues for disabled children.

Louisa, 44, said: "It’s built right at the top of the hill, so trying to get up the grass verge is very difficult and will be nigh on impossible in the winter when it’s all swampy.

"Then actually seeing the new equipment, there are no paths around for wheelchairs. So it’s very difficult for her to access it."

She said the sensory zone, which includes panels and sign language prompts, was a "step in the right direction", but added: "Putting in some sensory boards ticks a box, but by no means makes it inclusive.

"Anna had to sit and watch the able children play. It broke our hearts.

"The money would have been better spent making access possible for all."

James, 42, felt the facility had not been thought through and more communication and discussions were needed.

"It almost feels like it's been tucked away in the corner," he said.

"There's so much more space. They could have spread it out and made it more accessible."

The couple urged the council to have a rethink and "consult a range of families and people to make sure the parks are inclusive in the future".

They added: "Anna's non-verbal, so we have to be her voice."

Council leader Samia Haq said: "Accessibility is always at the forefront of our minds and the new play area has tactile and sensory elements to meet the needs of a wide range of children.

"We're also fortunate in Oadby and Wigston to have a number of different parks and play areas in a relatively small area, helping to meet different needs.

"By its very nature, a country park will always pose some accessibility challenges, not least that Brocks Hill is on a significant incline.

"It is a fine balance between maintaining that natural, nature supporting, country park feel that we all love, while also achieving complete accessibility for all.

"We are always on the look out for funding opportunities that might help us to improve the accessibility of all our parks, including Brocks Hill, and this feedback only increases that determination."

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