playground facilities for 10+ kids

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/mar/30/children.health
Having read the link above, I wonder if Waverley could provide more facilities for the 10+ age group in Rowledge/Boundstone area. A baskball hoop on the rec or Burnt Hill Road field (with one swing only!!). In the recent refurbishment of playground equipment there was nothing for this age group. My 10 year old is not interested in slides!! We need somewhere safe and fun for our kids in double figure to meet up. As a lecturer Digital Screen Arts I am well aware of the results of Tanya Byron's enquiry into kids' online lives but they need to balance indoors activity with outdoor activity and, for this age group, this means independent play and social activity as well as organised activities.
Rosie Gunn
Senior Lecturer - Digital Screen Arts
University College for the Creative Arts

Dear Rosie,

Thank you for your email. I will endeavour to answer your questions and I will also forward your email to our Parks Department who are responsible for fixed play equipment in the borough which includes development and refurbishment. My role as the Communtiy Development Officer for Youth is to work with local partners both voluntary and statutory for young people aged 13 to 19 years and 25 if they have a special need, however I am fully aware that there is a gap in provision for 9 and upwards in the way of fixed play equipment. The borough has recently been awarded a Big Lottery Children's Play Grant to develop play provision in the borough and in order to obtain the grant we had to develop a play strategy (please find attached) which highlighted the need to create areas for the older age group. When applying for the funding we had to identify the projects we would like to develop in partnership with the local community. The Big Lottery Fund will be used to create an over 9's playground in Cranleigh, a multi use games area at Holloway Hill in Godalming and to fund a 3 year play project coordinator who's role will be to develop play activities in the rural areas of the borough and help deliver the action plan in conjunction with other departments and local communities in the borough. The plan is that this officer will be able to work with local communities to help source funding and develop further activities. The officer should be in post by the end of May. Over the past few years the council has installed a range of fixed activities for the older age group which include 4 skate parks, 4 multi use games area across the borough and has worked in partnership with various agencies to provide youth shelters and further games areas and older children play areas. The council is continuing to develop this work to other areas of the borough. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me or contact Ann James from the parks department on 01483 523447 or at ann.james@waverley.gov.uk kind regards katie Katie WebbCommunity Development Officer (Youth)Waverley Borough CouncilEnvironment and LeisureThe BurysGodalmingSurreyGU7 1HRTel No: 01483 523340 or 0784 161 8630For further information on young people in Waverley visit http://www.waverley.gov.uk/youngpeople/