New Coronation Park play area opens in St Lawrence

A new nature-inspired play area featuring sand dunes, woodland obstacles and open recreational space has opened at Coronation Park in St Lawrence.

The £280,000 project has expanded the existing park into neighbouring playing fields, creating a larger public space connected by new footpaths. Trees and flower beds have also been planted as part of the scheme.

Young visitors wasted little time trying out the new facilities, with children heading into the play area as soon as the opening ceremony was complete.

Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Renouf officially opened the site by cutting the ribbon. He said the development had created a "huge new open public space" that allowed visitors to move naturally between the existing Coronation Park and the new area.

He described the project as a major new recreational facility for islanders, particularly young people, and highlighted the role of public consultation in shaping its design.

Almost 700 people responded to the consultation, while children and young people contributed more than 1,000 ideas for the site.

Renouf said it was "really inspiring" to see those suggestions reflected in the finished park.

Several of the play features have also been constructed using tree trunks from trees brought down by recent storms in Jersey.

Pump track still under consideration

A pump track for cyclists and skateboarders was included in the original proposals for the site but was not part of the first phase of construction.

The government is continuing to consider the facility, but further safety and planning work is needed before a decision can be made.

The proposed track would be located beside an avenue that is already being used by pedestrians as an informal crossing point.

Renouf said an initial survey carried out earlier this year recorded around 900 people making the crossing each day.

He said adding a pump track could increase pedestrian and traffic movements in the area, meaning further work was required before plans could progress.

The minister said he expected the necessary work to take place over the next month or two, followed by a public consultation on any proposals that emerge.

For now, the newly opened play space gives residents a new area to explore, with its natural features and additional paths providing more room for play and recreation.