The long-anticipated improvement works at Richmond Gardens play park are now officially underway. Following several years of planning, design development, and the successful securing of funding, construction is scheduled to begin on Friday 26th September, with completion targeted for November 2025.
A group of residents first came together to push for improvements to the much-loved park, paving the way for its devolution from Cornwall Council to St Ives Town Council in May 2024. The handover was marked with celebrations, ice cream, and local school children enjoying the space. Councillor Kirsty Arthur, one of the founding members of the original community group, has supported the project from the start. She said:
“Great to see that at long last the work at Richmond Gardens can begin! It’s a super milestone in this project that I care about so deeply. I can’t wait to see the work get going and I’m so thankful to the community of Carbis Bay for their enthusiasm in the project.”
Community consultation has played an important role in shaping the design, with residents expressing a need to cater for broader age ranges, from toddlers through to teenagers, with a blend of accessible and adventurous equipment.
Supported by a diverse range of funding sources, Phase One of the enhancement works will focus on upgrading the play equipment. TK Play, a play specialist based in the Southwest, has been appointed to deliver the scheme. The design has been refined to maximise play value and long-term benefit for the community. Key features include a new 30-metre zipwire, replacing the smaller version proposed in earlier plans, alongside accessible equipment such as swing seats, a roundabout, a trampoline, and level pathways. A sensory pathway will also be introduced, complemented by landscaping improvements including play mounds, new fencing, hydraulic gates, and high-quality safety surfacing.
While the play area will be closed for the duration of the works, the wider park will remain open to the public.
