'A great shame' Disability charity calls for dialogue over Poundbury playground
DiverseAbilities wants to make the park in Dorchester more usable for disabled children
A Dorset disability charity says it's 'a great shame' there isn't any disabled-friendly play equipment included at Poundbury's new play area.
The new playground in Dorchester aesthetically mimics Poundbury's surrounding architecture and was opened officially by Prince Charles on Friday.
But the launch soured quickly after parents realised there was no provision for disabled children.
Helen Mortimer, Development Manager at Diverse Abilities said:
"The new park looks absolutely stunning but it is a shame that at the moment it might not be accessible for everybody. Certainly for families that do have a child with a disability it can be hard to access certain activities and life can feel quite isolating so to be unable to participate in this is a great shame."
Many common playground features have easily accessible alternatives that can be used by everyone, for instance roundabouts that are set into the ground so wheelchairs can roll onto them.
It's believed this may just be Phase One of the park with assurances being passed to some that more accessible equipment is on the way.
But one of the most frequently mentioned issues at the park is the use of gravel underneath equipment, instead of a type of rubber matting which most parks use.
Helen added:
"Hopefully with the proposed addition of other equipment to come in the future, as I understand, people will be able to engage more though obviously the surface is quite tricky with wheelchairs, and buggies and pushchairs, but also lots of children have a disability that doesn't mean they're in a wheelchair but they have mobility issues that mean they might be able to engage with some of this equipment but traversing the gravel might be hard for them for example.
"Hopefully there will be lots of dialogue and consultation to make sure it really does suit everybody going forward because I'm sure that very much is their ambition. Hopefully everyone can participate and all children can enjoy it because that's what we all want, isn't it? Equity of access for children so that no one's feeling left out."
Greatest Hits Radio Dorset has asked the Duchy of Cornwall, who commissioned the park, for a comment, but they have yet to reply.