Shoeburyness's new inclusive playground at East Beach is open in time for half-term, with wheelchair-accessible equipment and a submarine to climb.

A new playground built so that disabled and non-disabled children can play side by side is open at East Beach in Shoeburyness. It opened on Friday 16 October, a week before the October half-term.

Southend-on-Sea City Council spent £671,000 designing and building it (Southend-on-Sea City Council, 16 October).

What is there

The playground has a coastal theme. The council says it includes:

  • wheelchair-accessible play equipment
  • climbing and balancing activities
  • interactive features that use sound, touch and colour
  • a large submarine play structure with its own periscope, inspired by Shoeburyness’s maritime heritage
  • new trees and plants, small grassy hills, stepping logs and shaded seating

It is designed for a range of ages. The council says there is equipment for neurodiverse children and for those with physical disabilities.

Families helped shape it. The design drew on engagement with local parents and the Southend SEND Independent Forum. A spokesperson for the forum said: “Opportunities for children of all abilities to play alongside one another are so important, and we welcome initiatives that aim to make local spaces more accessible and welcoming for families.”

Why East Beach

East Beach already has much of what a family with a disabled child needs for a day out. The council lists:

  • two cafes
  • a car park, with CCTV
  • upgraded public toilets, including a Changing Places toilet for people with complex accessibility needs and their carers

Cllr Cheryl Nevin, the cabinet member for civic pride, said it was “a fantastic new space where young people with different needs can play together”. Council leader Cllr Daniel Cowan said: “Every child deserves somewhere they can play, have fun and make memories, regardless of their abilities or additional needs.”

Four more playgrounds being rebuilt

The East Beach playground is paid for under the council’s Civic Pride Action Plan. A separate £2 million Parks Improvement Programme is improving play areas at four other parks:

  • Southchurch Park
  • Oakwood Park
  • Friars Park
  • Bournes Green Park

That work covers new and refurbished equipment, better access for disabled children, new safety surfaces, benches, paths and planting. The council has not given finish dates for the four parks in its announcement.

What it means for you

  • Half-term is 26 to 30 October for schools on the council’s calendar. The playground is free and open now. Our October half-term page lists what else is on.
  • East Beach is in Shoeburyness, postcode SS3 9AD, with its own car park. Our Southend parking page sets out the council’s parking charges by zone.
  • Going on Bonfire Night weekend? The Round Table’s ticketed Big Beach Bang fireworks are at East Beach on Saturday 7 November. See our fireworks page.

Sources