Property maintenance specialist Novus Property Solutions was delighted to have provided labour to help improve a community play area in Rednal, Birmingham, which was blighted by anti social behaviour.
The Foxes Den Play Area, on Fox Hollow Close, was opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mike Leddy, on September 22nd. He was joined by dozens of residents and representatives from Novus and other companies who had donated goods and services.
The play area has been given a fresh lick of paint thanks to Novus, which provided painting contractors for the project. Picnic benches and planters have been installed to improve the site and a grassed, muddy area has been transformed into a games area. An all-weather surface has been installed to enable all-year use, while a new area for younger children and a set of exercise equipment have also been introduced.
Fox Hollow Close is made up of 29 homes which are owned by Bromford Housing Group. The homes were built in 2002 and as part of the development a play area was included for the benefit of residents of the Close and of the wider community. Since the play area opened, there have been some issues with the site being used by older youths, resulting in anti social behaviour and damage to the facility.
Last year Bromford Housing consulted with residents and the ward councillors over whether to keep and improve the play area, or remove it and install parking. The result of the consultation was that the play area was to remain and the housing group began to look at how this could be improved and looked after for the future.
Northfield Town Centre Partnership was appointed by to act as a community development facilitator, who consulted residents and met with contractors to agree what would be done to the play area - the result of which was the Foxes Den.
Sally Miles, customer liaison offer with Novus, attended the opening. She said: "It's fantastic that we have been able to help the Fox Hollow Close community establish an area where children can play safely. The residents have really come together to make this project a success and we're delighted to have been involved in the improvements."
