New play facilities and a dedicated shelter for teenagers have been installed in Venner Avenue Play Park in Northwood thanks to successful partnership working.

The Northwood Community Partnership, Hampshire Constabulary, and the IW Council have worked together to respond to the needs of local residents after a lack of suitable play equipment and somewhere for teenagers to spend time was highlighted to Police Community Support Officer Stephen Oatley from the Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team and members of the Northwood Community Partnership by residents.

The partnership worked together to raise funds for new play equipment while the council funded an upgrade of existing equipment and will fund the ongoing maintenance of the new facilities.

Isle of Wight Police Community Support Officer Stephen Oatley said:

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working and tapping into the youth opportunity funds, the youths have had their say in what play equipment they would like to see in Northwood.

Since the project began, and through to now, we have seen a drastic reduction in reported anti social behaviour in the Northwood area, a top priority action highlighted by Northwood residents at the Safer Neighbourhoods Community Forum last year”.

Robin Crews, 14, from Northwood said: 

“The basketball hoop is getting used every day, sometimes by as many as eleven kids and teenagers. They’re not causing trouble anymore.”

Cllr Roger Mazillius who is a member of the Northwood Community Partnership as well as the local IW councillor and a Northwood parish councillor said:

“I am so pleased that the Northwood Community Partnership and local Police worked together to identify funding for the project and that together with the IW Council’s Parks and Countryside Department, added these much used additional play facilities for local children.
 
“In addition the Council has re-turfed much of the football pitch in the park. All these changes have resulted in a real surge in use by local children, which I know they and their parents appreciate.”

Matthew Chatfield, Isle of Wight Council’s Parks and Countryside Manager said:

“Following discussions with the community, the council’s experts advised and assisted the partnership in selecting and installing some new play equipment to extend the existing facility, at the same time funding the replacement of some of the existing play equipment.

To ensure the long-term success of the project we have agreed to maintain the new equipment provided by the Northwood Community Partnership to ensure it remains safe for children and young people to use for years to come.”