Harlow and Essex councils open £105,000 facility for children

The opening of a new £105,000 accessible Changing Places facility in Harlow enables children and young people with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors.

The new facility was officially opened by the vice chair of Harlow Council, Maggie Hulcoop, and chairman of Essex County Council (ECC) John Aldridge.

Changing Places facilities are different from standard ones because they offer more space, specialist equipment and a height adjustment changing bench and hoist.

It is fully funded by ECC’s Short Breaks for Disabled Children’s capital grant scheme and is the second Changing Places facility to be built in Harlow. It is located at Pets’ Corner in Town Park.

The site is one of 28 Changing Places facilities across Essex and the location was chosen after families said they would like to be near a green space so they can spend more time together outdoors and have access to other facilities that Town Park offers.

The park covers 164 acres and includes gardens, the Stort Valley Meadows and Peace Wood, a paddling pool, bandstand, skate park, adventure playground, outdoor gym, and Spurriers House.

To access the facility, families must register with Harlow Council for a unique key, which can also be used to access the existing Changing Places site behind the bus station in the town centre.

Dick Madden, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “We’re committed to ensuring all children and young people in Essex are able to experience the same opportunities and that families are not restricted in terms of the places they are able to visit across the county.

“I’m delighted we have been able to support such a fantastic project and proud we have been able to fund a number of Changing Places facilities across the county.”

Tony Durcan, Harlow Council’s portfolio holder for t
regeneration and enterprise, said: “I’m extremely happy we’ve been able to work together with Essex County Council to deliver the new Changing Places site at the much-loved Pets’ Corner and I’m pleased families can enjoy days out here without the worry of whether there will be suitable facilities for their child.

“The whole of the town park has seen fantastic developments over the past nine months, having been completely transformed and now Pets’ Corner offers an education space for schools and a concert area and the nearby bandstand has been renewed.

“Families have the chance to experience a bit of the countryside right in the heart of Harlow and this summer I encourage local people to head down and see what this fantastic park has to offer.”