YOUNGSTERS in Dawlish now have a new series of play equipment to enjoy along The Lawn as part of the town’s updated play provision.

The £320,000 play park scheme at the Manor Gardens is well underway and parts of the family trail are in place.

Totem poles are now in position at points through the town centre which will lead children towards the new Manor Gardens facility. These include a wooden climbing insect, a pole for measuring height which uses the equivalent heights for animals such as rhinos, lions and chimpanzees, a beehive and a pole featuring animal sounds.

Contractors are expected to complete the play park at the Manor Gardens, which is anticipated to be one of the best in Devon, with a few weeks.

The go-ahead was given in the summer for the whole project which will be accessible, inclusive and a ‘gold’ standard’ play area. The trail which is currently being built will lead families from the town and Lawn, up to the Knowle and to Manor Gardens.

The design for the park was drawn up following extensive consultation with local groups and Oakwood College in Dawlish, a specialist college for students with learning difficulties and disabilities, which provided input to make the park accessible.

It has been designed to be wheelchair friendly and include features for the visually-impaired.