Bemerton Heath play area accessible-park upgrade complete

Salisbury City Council has reopened the park at Pinewood Way in Bemerton Heath, which now features wheelchair-friendly equipment and surfaces designed for children of all abilities.

It includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and seesaw, and accessible play panels, along with new flat surfacing.

DIGS members trying new equipment. (Image: Salisbury City Council)

Kez Adey, CEO of the Disability Interest Group of Salisbury (DIGS), said: "I'm really happy with the park.

"We can't wait to see it get used by everybody.

"It's great that it is all inclusive and that everybody is able to play here.

"The work that the city council has done is fantastic and I can't fault them. For us, it's a massive achievement. We are excited and we're proud of it. We love it."

The improvements, costing just over £40,000, were designed by Caloo Ltd and funded through Salisbury City Council's 2025/26 accessibility budget.

Residents were invited to share feedback on the plans in September 2025, with construction beginning in December and finishing in early January 2026.

These latest upgrades follow the installation of a tarmac path in July 2024 to allow wheelchair access to the wider open space and play area.

The project was led by Mark Annetts, parks officer at Salisbury City Council, alongside Mr Adey.

DIGS members trying new equipment. (Image: Salisbury City Council)

Cllr Caroline Corbin, who represents Bemerton Heath, said: "It is great to have this improvement because it means that people of all abilities can actually interact and play together.

"And it's fun, even the adults that were here today from DIGS have had some great fun. It's brilliant."

Cllr Richard Johnson, who also represents the ward and serves on the environment committee, said: "As a parent of a nearly seven-year-old, I know how vital play parks are, but my work with DIGS has highlighted just how crucial it is that all children have the chance to play.

"This fantastic refurbishment shows that Salisbury City Council is listening to the lived experiences of disabled residents and delivering what our community truly needs.

"I'm incredibly proud to see this inclusive project in Bemerton Heath, as it's a perfect example of our vision for a more thoughtful, inclusive, and community-focused Salisbury."

The Pinewood Way play area officially reopened on Monday, January 12, with DIGS members, councillors and city council officers present to try out the new equipment on launch day.

On the same day, the full council approved an increase to take the accessibility budget to £50,000 for the next financial year.