Times is up for tree house at the Rec

The much-loved tree house on the Recreation Ground is to be dismantled once the school summer holidays have come to an end. 

The decision was taken reluctantly by Councillors at an Open Spaces meeting held on Wednesday, 16th April 2025. 

The popularity of the tree house has also meant it has suffered more than other pieces of play equipment. Not all damage can be attributed to simple wear and tear. 

Wear, tear and vandalism 

A working group looking into the condition of play areas managed by the council has found the tree house to be one of the most vandalised pieces of play equipment. 

The council’s environmental rangers are frequently called on to remove graffiti off the tree house. Since last summer it has been necessary to board up the tree house’s slide as the plastic had been smashed and leaving exposed sharp, jagged edges. 

Nearby residents also say the tree house is a spot for anti-social behaviour at night. 

Three choices 

Councillors have had to weigh up the best of three options in reaching a decision on the tree house’s future: 

• Replacement 

• Repair 

• Removal 

To replace the tree house could cost at least £50,000. This puts it out of range of suitable grants as the Parish Council has no budget to meet the conditions on match funding. 

Temporary repairs could cost £10,000 and would only extend the life of the existing tree house by a couple of years. 

To put that in context, this is the same amount as our annual maintenance budget. There is also the reality that other items of equipment require attention, too.  Next month’s inspections by RoSPA could highlight new safety concerns. This has the potential to lengthen our list of repairs and stretch our repairs budget further. 

The last option – removing the tree house – still incurs a significant cost of at least £2,500. But it would allow the council to begin looking for new play equipment that is both more affordable and better suited to withstanding acts of vandalism. 

Improving playgrounds 

Although it is disappointing to have to remove a popular piece of play equipment, SMPC works hard to obtain grants to fund improvements to the village’s open spaces. 

Money from the Welcome Back Fund was invested in 10 new benches spread around the skate park, Windmill Fields, the Rec, and Crafton Green car park, among other locations. 

The Fund was also tapped to pay for a zipwire, disability swing, picnic table and improvements to the multi-use games area at Mountfitchet Green.  

Grants have also been found for a trim trail at Wilkins Crescent and for a crocodile swing in Bentfield Green. 

Future consultation 

Once the tree house is removed after the school holidays, the parish council will start sourcing grant funding and compiling a list of play items to fill the spot left by the tree house. 

We will consult with residents as to their preferences before any final decisions are reached. 

For more information 

See our Open Spaces minutes for 16th April 2025