Parade Park, Aldershot for The Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Grainger PLC with Allen Pyke Associates, Eibe Play ltd, Lawrence Foote and Partners (London) Ltd and Millgrove Construction Ltd

As part of the 148-hectare redevelopment of Aldershot’s former garrison site, the Wellesley development by Grainger includes Parade Park, a significant public open space. The park serves as a destination play space, central to the wider regeneration masterplan, designed to benefit both the existing and future community. Emphasising accessibility, the park aims to create an inclusive environment, fostering community engagement and providing a vibrant recreational area.

Who is on the project?

Grainger PLC

Allen Pyke Associates

Eibe Play ltd

Lawrence Foote and Partners (London) Ltd

Millgrove Construction Ltd

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and people. 

Aldershot, a town located in northeast Hampshire is known as the "Home of the British Army". It has a population of 37,000 and a community that has been shaped by both its military heritage and its vibrant civilian population. The town boasts many historically significant buildings and is surrounded by extensive army training grounds and picturesque woodlands. Once a lively area with a rich nightlife, army shows and royal visits, Aldershot saw its fortunes decline and following the army’s reorganisation in the 90’s, parts of the garrison town were left abandoned. In 2011, Grainger plc was appointed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to redevelop 148 hectares of the former garrison site. The Wellesley Estate will bring 3,850 new homes to the area and restore 6 grade II listed military buildings, with the goal of revitalising Aldershot and creating a sustainable community. The development emphasizes resident wellbeing, green spaces and respect for the area’s military heritage. Construction started on site in 2015 and the development now has over 1500 homes occupied. At the heart of the Wellesley development Grainger have introduced a large area of public open space known as Parade Park. The park’s primary function, within the wider regeneration masterplan, is to provide a Destination Play Space for the existing and future community.

Tell us what you did and how it created a child-friendly place. For example, how does it support the rights of the child to rest, relax, play and to take part in cultural and creative activities in a safe and clean environment?

Grainger wanted to ensure that Parade Park was designed to be a destination play area that is accessible, inclusive and suitable for people of all ages and abilities. The final playground was modelled on the PiPA Inclusive Gold Award. We are proud to have installed the first wheelchair swing in the borough of Rushmoor. By collaborating closely with designers, we ensured that the play equipment was designed to be inclusive, providing a space where children of all abilities and ages can interact, play and grow together. The park includes paths that allow easy wheelchair access to all areas, ensuring freedom of movement for everyone. We have installed sound play units for sensory engagement, particularly beneficial for visually impaired and wheelchair-using children. Wheelchair-friendly play boards foster learning and social interactions, while two inclusive play totems, a basket swing, and an inclusive roundabout and trampoline provide diverse and engaging play experiences. Wheelchair-friendly picnic tables ensure that families can gather comfortably. We’ve also created quiet spaces with benches and shaded areas, perfect for resting or spreading out a picnic blanket. The play area is suitable for toddlers to teenagers, featuring a parkour course for older children. Around the perimeter, tables with inbuilt chess and ludo boards encourage creative engagement for adults and children alike. Adjacent to the play area is a large green field, offering ample space for people of all ages to exercise and play together, promoting fitness and a sense of community.

How did the project make a positive social and environmental contribution in the context of child health childhood and wellbeing

In Rushmoor, 24.5% of children are overweight or obese by reception, increasing to 34.6% by Year 6, while 64.3% of adults are also overweight. These rising figures called for urgent action and Parade Park has been created for young people and their families to get active through play. Wellesley, in Wellington Ward, is one of the 20% most deprived areas in the country (2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation) and in the 10% most deprived for income. With many families on tight budgets, having free, accessible facilities like this playground makes a significant difference. According to the 2023 Mental Health and Wellbeing Index, Rushmoor has high levels of poor mental health compared to other areas in Hampshire. Offering a local, no-cost play space was essential to promote both physical health and mental wellbeing, particularly in a community facing so many challenges. By working closely with residents to design the playground, we’ve ensured it meets their needs and encourages them to get active. Throughout the building process, we built excitement and involvement, culminating in a grand opening that empowered the Wellesley community to take ownership of their space. This playground provides not just a place for play, but is a vital resource for family health, wellbeing, and community connection. The park incorporates native plant species, from our heritage palette, to support local wildlife. New Tree planting, complements the existing mature avenues of trees throughout Wellesley and recycled materials were used in the play equipment where possible, aligning with Grainger’s commitment to sustainability.