Nature play area featured in new Coronation Park designs

Sunday 30 April 2023

A nature play area could form part of the new extension to Coronation Park, if final designs for the land reflect public support expressed in a recent consultation launched by the Infrastructure Minister.

Deputy Tom Binet said that careful consideration was now being given to the ideas submitted by members of the public – including those from young children.

More than 700 people responded to the consultation, including groups comprising families and classes of school children, and their views have been summarised in a child-friendly report. It includes drawings showing how children would like the park extension to look.

In January last year the land at Millbrook Playing Fields was gifted to the people of Jersey by an anonymous benefactor to become part of the park, which was opened in 1937 in honour of the coronation of King George VI.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet launched a consultation in September offering the chance for islanders to help shape the design of the new area and to have a say on transport issues affecting it.

Pictured: Deputy Tom Binet said that careful consideration was now being given to the ideas submitted by members of the public.

Ideas most popular with children and young people were play equipment, creating wildlife habitats, a maze, a tunnel, a flower garden including local wildflowers, areas to climb, dens, hills to roll down and a zip wire.

Other ideas included bumper cars, a slime zone and a place to star gaze. The amount of traffic and parking were the most common issues identified in the transport consultation, with many respondents asking for improvements to make crossing Victoria Avenue easier and safer.

There was strong public support for improvements to encourage walking and cycling to the park, and many called for it to be linked to the active travel routes from Victoria Avenue and St Aubin’s Inner Road, as well as suggesting the creation of a cycle route through the park.

The Infrastructure and Environment Department is now considering which of the suggestions can be included in the design, taking account of restrictions put on the use of the new area as part of the gifting agreement.

In the meantime, it is expected that the land will be opened to the public as a green space in the next few weeks while the design work continues.

Deputy Binet thanked those who had taken part in the consultation and said: "Every response has been reviewed and I’m looking forward to seeing the results come to life as this project continues.

"Providing places and facilities for young people to play in and enjoy, like this, is an important part of giving children the best possible start to life in Jersey."