Share Victoria Park Play Area is now open on FacebookShare Victoria Park Play Area is now open on X (formerly Twitter)Share Victoria Park Play Area is now open on LinkedinEmail Victoria Park Play Area is now open link
We're pleased to share that Victoria Park's newly improved play area is now open and ready to enjoy.
Following the successful completion of an independent safety inspection, we've opened the play area so that local families can make the most of the new facilities throughout the summer holidays.
Over recent months, the play area has undergone significant improvements. Enhancements include a new accessible play deck, inclusive play equipment, new swings, an enhanced toddler play area, improved pathways through the play space, and new seating and picnic benches around the popular Splash Pad.
We're pleased to share that Victoria Park's newly improved play area is now open and ready to enjoy.
Following the successful completion of an independent safety inspection, we've opened the play area so that local families can make the most of the new facilities throughout the summer holidays.
Over recent months, the play area has undergone significant improvements. Enhancements include a new accessible play deck, inclusive play equipment, new swings, an enhanced toddler play area, improved pathways through the play space, and new seating and picnic benches around the popular Splash Pad.
The improvements have been delivered as part of the Victoria Park Masterplan, which was developed following consultation with local residents and park users about priorities for the future of one of Haywards Heath's most valued green spaces.
You may notice some temporary fencing around newly seeded areas within the play space. This has been put in place to allow the grass to establish following construction works and help reduce muddy areas. We kindly ask visitors to avoid these areas while the new grass grows.
Work to improve access from South Road is continuing and will be completed as part of the wider project. This element of the scheme has taken longer than anticipated due to the need to relocate a sewer before the new accessible entrance into the park can be completed. In the meantime, the park remains accessible via five entrances, four of which have step-free access. We will continue to keep this Engagement Hub page updated with progress on the South Road works.
Thank you to everyone for their patience and support throughout these improvements. We know how important Victoria Park is to the local community and look forward to seeing families enjoy the new facilities for many years to come.
Share Project update - late June 2026 on FacebookShare Project update - late June 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project update - late June 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project update - late June 2026 link
Work continues at Victoria Park, with progress being made despite the recent spell of very hot weather. To manage conditions safely, the team have been starting earlier in the day to avoid the hottest periods.
The new accessible play deck has now been installed. This will provide inclusive play opportunities, with wheelchair access from the new path and a variety of ways to reach the deck from the lower play area, including nets, ladders and a climbing ramp, along with sliding poles for returning to ground level.
Good progress is also being made on the new ramp between the matureContinue reading
Work continues at Victoria Park, with progress being made despite the recent spell of very hot weather. To manage conditions safely, the team have been starting earlier in the day to avoid the hottest periods.
The new accessible play deck has now been installed. This will provide inclusive play opportunities, with wheelchair access from the new path and a variety of ways to reach the deck from the lower play area, including nets, ladders and a climbing ramp, along with sliding poles for returning to ground level.
Good progress is also being made on the new ramp between the mature oak trees on South Road. This is being carefully constructed using a specialist method to protect the tree roots while still allowing air and water to reach them. The result will be a more accessible route with a gentler gradient than before.
Newly planted trees are continuing to be watered regularly to help them establish.
Once construction is complete, the play area will be independently inspected by RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to ensure it meets all relevant safety standards before opening. There is currently high demand for inspections, so we are not yet able to confirm exactly when this will take place. Following the inspection, we will complete any final safety works identified.
We look forward to opening the new play area as soon as possible this summer. Work on the new South Road access point will take a little longer to complete, due to the complexitywe’ve explained above, but other accessible entrances are available.
Thank you to local residents and businesses for your continued patience and support while this work is completed.
Share Project update - June 2026 on FacebookShare Project update - June 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project update - June 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project update - June 2026 link
As we shared last month, work at the new accessible South Road entrance has been more complex than expected. We needed to relocate a sewer and carefully protect the roots of the mature oak trees nearby, which meant pausing work on the playground for a short time so machinery could safely reach this part of the site.
Since then, we have been working closely with arboricultural specialists, engineers and our contractor to agree a solution for the new South Road ramp that maintains accessibility while minimising any impact on the oak tree roots.
As we shared last month, work at the new accessible South Road entrance has been more complex than expected. We needed to relocate a sewer and carefully protect the roots of the mature oak trees nearby, which meant pausing work on the playground for a short time so machinery could safely reach this part of the site.
Since then, we have been working closely with arboricultural specialists, engineers and our contractor to agree a solution for the new South Road ramp that maintains accessibility while minimising any impact on the oak tree roots.
This has had a knock-on effect on the playground because construction vehicles need to pass through that area to reach the ramp works. Other access options were considered, but they would have caused more damage to the wider park and increased costs.
We are pleased to say that a solution has now been agreed, and work has started on the ramp between the two mature oak trees on South Road.
This means work on the play area is now restarting, with the playground currently on track to open at the end of July. The South Road entrance will take a little longer due to the complexity, but we will continue to keep resident's update.
Thank you to local residents and businesses for your continued patience and support while this work is completed. We know how important these improvements are to the community and look forward to opening the new play area as soon as possible. We will share a further update at the beginning of July.
Share Project update - May 2026 on FacebookShare Project update - May 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project update - May 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project update - May 2026 link
Work is progressing on improvements to access and the play area at Victoria Park. This includes more accessible play equipment and a refreshed layout, and new seating and picnic benches for the Splash Pad.
The redevelopment is going well, but we’ve uncovered an unexpected issue with a drain while rebuilding the steps, in an area close to a mature oak tree that needs protecting. We’re working with Southern Water to resolve this; however, this has meant the programme is taking longer than planned. Although it may look quiet on site at times, planning and coordination are continuing so we canContinue reading
Work is progressing on improvements to access and the play area at Victoria Park. This includes more accessible play equipment and a refreshed layout, and new seating and picnic benches for the Splash Pad.
The redevelopment is going well, but we’ve uncovered an unexpected issue with a drain while rebuilding the steps, in an area close to a mature oak tree that needs protecting. We’re working with Southern Water to resolve this; however, this has meant the programme is taking longer than planned. Although it may look quiet on site at times, planning and coordination are continuing so we can complete the remaining works as soon as possible.
To manage expectations, the play park and Splash Pad will not reopen by May Half Term, and we will provide a further update in June on what’s happening and a revised timeline as soon as we have confirmed it.
Accessible entrance from South Road
We’ve received a few questions from residents about the steps and access. The park will have an accessible entrance, and handrails will be installed on the steps. The steps are made from a non-slip stone, and a new ramp with a gentle gradient will be created, for wheelchairs and push chairs.
Share Project update - April 2026 on FacebookShare Project update - April 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project update - April 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project update - April 2026 link
Works have progressed in the play area with the installation of more play equipment, boulders, and tree planting. The new concrete seat wall around the splash pad has been poured which will provide lots of seating for parents whilst their children play.
We carefully removed the old gym equipment to lay new surfacing with a view to reinstalling it but found it to be in poor condition. The decision was made to remove the outdoor gym equipment entirely. The area has been reinstated to grass to provide a welcoming entrance.
Progress on the works near South Road remains on pauseContinue reading
Works have progressed in the play area with the installation of more play equipment, boulders, and tree planting. The new concrete seat wall around the splash pad has been poured which will provide lots of seating for parents whilst their children play.
We carefully removed the old gym equipment to lay new surfacing with a view to reinstalling it but found it to be in poor condition. The decision was made to remove the outdoor gym equipment entirely. The area has been reinstated to grass to provide a welcoming entrance.
Progress on the works near South Road remains on pause while final details are agreed with Southern Water regarding a manhole within the construction area. Work continues behind the scenes to keep this moving.
Our contractor is working closely with us to ensure minimal impact on the upcoming events in the park, whilst still progressing the improvements.
Share Project update - March 2026 on FacebookShare Project update - March 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project update - March 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project update - March 2026 link
Work this month has been concentrated within the play area, so it may have appeared quieter if you were passing along South Road.
A significant amount of ground reprofiling has taken place to create a more accessible and inclusive space. The land has been reshaped to allow wheelchair access throughout the play area and onto the main play deck via the newly constructed paths.
The new toddler play bank is also progressing well. Once complete, it will feature a slide with steps alongside it, plus a balance rope or boulders for children who prefer a more adventurous route to theContinue reading
Work this month has been concentrated within the play area, so it may have appeared quieter if you were passing along South Road.
A significant amount of ground reprofiling has taken place to create a more accessible and inclusive space. The land has been reshaped to allow wheelchair access throughout the play area and onto the main play deck via the newly constructed paths.
The new toddler play bank is also progressing well. Once complete, it will feature a slide with steps alongside it, plus a balance rope or boulders for children who prefer a more adventurous route to the top.
Meanwhile, progress on the works near South Road is on pause while final details are agreed with Southern Water regardinga manhole within the construction area.
Share Project Update – February 2026 on FacebookShare Project Update – February 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project Update – February 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project Update – February 2026 link
Over the past month, we have experienced above average seasonal rainfall. This has resulted in saturated ground conditions, which have slowed progress on site.
Despite this, works to the play area have progressed well. Installation of the play equipment has begun, and the sub‑base for the new surfacing has now been laid.
The old seating area on South Road has also been removed to make way for the new wide steps. These will open up the entrance to the park and create a more welcoming approach.
Over the past month, we have experienced above average seasonal rainfall. This has resulted in saturated ground conditions, which have slowed progress on site.
Despite this, works to the play area have progressed well. Installation of the play equipment has begun, and the sub‑base for the new surfacing has now been laid.
The old seating area on South Road has also been removed to make way for the new wide steps. These will open up the entrance to the park and create a more welcoming approach.
Share Project Update – January 2026 on FacebookShare Project Update – January 2026 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project Update – January 2026 on LinkedinEmail Project Update – January 2026 link
Over the past month, work on the site has continued where possible, despite winter weather, and periods of heavy rainfall.
The old, steep ramp and steps have now been removed and replaced with new granite steps. The new staircase is wider and will include handrails on both sides, as well as a central handrail, making it more comfortable and easier for people to use.
Over the past month, work on the site has continued where possible, despite winter weather, and periods of heavy rainfall.
The old, steep ramp and steps have now been removed and replaced with new granite steps. The new staircase is wider and will include handrails on both sides, as well as a central handrail, making it more comfortable and easier for people to use.
Share Project update - December 2025 on FacebookShare Project update - December 2025 on X (formerly Twitter)Share Project update - December 2025 on LinkedinEmail Project update - December 2025 link
Work at Victoria Park is now under way on the playground. All of the old play equipment been removed, apart from the splash pad and the site is being prepared for the next stage of improvements. These works include improvements to the drainage.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as these works continue.
Work at Victoria Park is now under way on the playground. All of the old play equipment been removed, apart from the splash pad and the site is being prepared for the next stage of improvements. These works include improvements to the drainage.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as these works continue.
Share Exciting improvements to start at Victoria Park on FacebookShare Exciting improvements to start at Victoria Park on X (formerly Twitter)Share Exciting improvements to start at Victoria Park on LinkedinEmail Exciting improvements to start at Victoria Park link
From Monday 17th November 2025, our contractor, Blakedown Landscapes, will be on site to begin upgrading the play area and South Road entrance at Victoria Park, to create a more inclusive and accessible space for all.
Key improvements include a wider entrance from South Road with high quality steps and a gentler slope. Paths are being enhanced to improve access between upper and lower levels, including better connections into and through the play space.
Play facilities are being upgraded with a new accessible play platform, plenty of swings, toddler play area, and play embankment. The popular Splash Pad willContinue reading
From Monday 17th November 2025, our contractor, Blakedown Landscapes, will be on site to begin upgrading the play area and South Road entrance at Victoria Park, to create a more inclusive and accessible space for all.
Key improvements include a wider entrance from South Road with high quality steps and a gentler slope. Paths are being enhanced to improve access between upper and lower levels, including better connections into and through the play space.
Play facilities are being upgraded with a new accessible play platform, plenty of swings, toddler play area, and play embankment. The popular Splash Pad will remain, now set within a more inviting space with new seating and picnic benches.
The play area and north eastern entrance to the park will be closed for approximately four months while work is carried out. We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you back to a revitalised, more inclusive park soon.
