Children’s Playground

The main Victoria Park playground has now been closed, and play equipment removed at short notice. The playground was due to be closed after the summer holidays and prior to being replaced but unfortunately it was decided that it was no longer safe to remain open.

The playground had been scheduled to be replaced earlier than the current timeline but Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns delayed this. The safety and security of park users is the number one priority for Ashford Borough Council, and items such as the safety matting and equipment mechanisms in the playground no longer met the standards required to protect this.

The playground was nearing the end of its useful life, but Ashford Borough Council had hoped to allow local children one more summer of fun on it before having it removed. Unfortunately, due to the age of the equipment and some low-level vandalism, the play equipment has been removed just as the school summer holidays are due to begin.

Happily, the infant play area adjacent to the car park and the indoor bowls club is in much better condition than the main playground and will remain open for the summer.

As part of the Victoria Park Project, a new playground will be being built in the park and ready to be launched next summer. This huge new playground will roll through the centre of the park, nestled between the new Sensory Garden, the new Café and Fairground Green. New equipment will include a brand new zip-wire, accessible swings, sunken trampolines, hillside slides, and a bespoke new climbing frame.

There is still lots of fun to be had in the park over the summer with the Project also hosting lots of activities such as Mr Harper’s Day and Kids Takeover Week, and the regular visits from local fairgrounds. More details of events and activities in the park can be found on our events page.

Mr Harper’s Day

This Saturday between 12:00-16:00 we’ll be celebrating Mr Harper’s Birthday. Mr Harper was the Victoria philanthropist who donated the Hubert Fountain to the town, and each year Ashford tries to mark it in some way in recognition of such an iconic gift.

This year we have an original composition from Ivor Novello award winner Emily Peasgood, workshops from Fabric of Ashford, further music performances from Revelation Ashford, and a small range of community and food stalls.

Kids Takeover Week

Kids takeover week will run from 23rd to 29th July and is the third year of our popular park takeover event for young people. There will be a variety of activities throughout the week including Sk8side pop up displays and Simia Circus workshops.

Compound Hoarding

Final touches are currently being made to bright, informative displays which will be put up on the panelled hoarding wrapping around the building works compound. This will become the main “shop window” for the project and include a map of the improvement works, recognition of the wealth of history attached to the park, artwork from local groups, and information about how to become involved.

We expect this to be complete and installed in early August.