Community's vision becomes reality as new Hemswell Cliff play park officially opens

14/08/2026

Children raced down the zip wire and explored the new facilities as residents came together to celebrate the culmination of years of fundraising, planning and hard work by local volunteers.

Children laughed as they swung through the sunshine as Hemswell Cliff officially opened its long-awaited new play park, a key favourite piece of equipmnet being an RAF-inspired aeroplane.

Parents, grandparents and neighbours gathered around for the official opening, just as the summer holiday began, marking the end of years of fundraising, planning and determination by local volunteers.

West Lindsey District Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan cut the ribbon.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure to cut this ribbon. For once, I would like to be a child again and enjoy all the facilities that we did not have in my day. We are very fortunate.

“I have seen Hemswell Cliff grow and develop during the 17 years I have been a councillor, and it really is a wonder to behold. It’s wonderful to see so many people coming out with their children to support the official opening.”

As soon as the ribbon fell, children streamed onto the equipment, bringing to life a project that has transformed an area of open grass into a vibrant community space inspired by the village itself.

For Hannah Roberts, chair of the Parks Committee and a parish councillor, that moment made years of hard work worthwhile.

She said: “We started with a vision to improve the park and carried out community engagement to prove there was a real need for it.

“This is so much more than a play park. We have created accessible dropped kerbs, outdoor gym equipment, spaces for younger children, benches where people can sit together and a path all the way around the green space.

“It has really opened up this part of the village. Seeing the children finally playing and moving around these new spaces, you just cannot beat it.”

She was supported by Parks Committee member Gill Dean on the project who admitted seeing children enjoying the finished park felt almost surreal.

She said: “It feels a bit unreal that we have done this, and we have done it so quickly. I am incredibly proud of what everyone has achieved. This belongs to the whole community because everyone has played their part.”

The £120,000 project was funded through £100,000 from FCC Communities Foundation and match funding from West Lindsey District Council and £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Chairman of Hemswell Cliff Parish Council, Graham Prestwood, thanked the funders, volunteers and residents who had helped turn the vision into reality.

Councillor Prestwood said: “Our outdoor gym was funded by local businesses and the parish council, while this play park was funded through FCC Communities Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund and match funding from West Lindsey District Council.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported this project. Without Hannah and Gill and their dedication and hard work, you simply would not have this park, so they deserve a massive thank you.”

The opening also marked the completion of the wider Make Hemswell Cliff Glitter project.

Councillor Prestwood added: “The project had eight parts to it, new play parks, benches, the outdoor gym, football goals, disabled toilet access and dropped kerbs around the estate and we’ve now delivered every single one. A huge thank you goes to West Lindsey District Council for funding so much of that work and helping us make it happen.”

Designed by Jo Feasby from HAGS, the play area reflects Hemswell Cliff’s identity, with an aircraft climbing frame inspired by the village’s RAF heritage sitting alongside tractor and pig rockers celebrating its agricultural roots. The aircraft and tractor are both familiar landmarks, appearing on the Hemswell Cliff welcome sign.

Jo said: “The inspiration came from Hemswell Cliff itself.

“It’s fantastic to see the community together, getting some fresh air and enjoying the equipment, especially with the summer holidays just beginning.”

The park includes a zip wire, swings, a net swing, toddler play equipment and impact-absorbing safety surfacing, while accessible pathways, dropped kerbs, benches and outdoor gym equipment mean the space has been designed for everyone to enjoy.

Children were very excitable as they tried all the new equipment and 10-year-old Amelia Meggitt could not wait for another turn on the zip wire.

She said: “It is really fun. I love the zip wire, and all my friends love it too.”

Nine-year-old Kyla added: “I love the zip line and the plane climbing frame. There wasn’t much to do before we got this, so this is really good.”

Local mum, Chloe Walker, 27, whose five-year-old daughter Theodora had been eagerly waiting for the opening, said the new play park is already making a difference.

She said: “If you don’t drive, Hemswell cliff is not the most accessible place because we’re quite an isolated village. Having this on our doorstep is brilliant. It makes us feel less forgotten. The children have been asking for ages if it was ready and now, they are loving it.”

West Lindsey District Council not only match funded the project but also helped the parish council turn an ambitious vision into reality.

Shay Towns, Senior Community Officer at West Lindsey District Council said the project showed what communities can achieve with the right support.

She said: “Our role is to help unlock the potential of places and the people who live there. Today’s opening is the culmination of years of work. We helped lay the foundations, but the community built on them.

“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces and families enjoying the space together makes it all worthwhile.”

As the celebrations continued families and the wider community tucked into a BBQ, ice creams and played for hours soaking up the atmosphere.

Pictured below is the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Credited to Hemswell Cliff Parish Council.