The play area at Pinewood Way, in Bemerton Heath, Salisbury, has officially opened following works to improve its accessibility.
Stakeholders, including Bemerton Heath Ward councillors, Salisbury City Council officers, and members of the Disability Interest Group of Salisbury (DIGS), came together on Monday, 12th January 2026, to mark its official opening and try out the new equipment.
Among the new features are a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, a wheelchair-accessible seesaw, accessible play panels, and new flat surfacing. The improvements, designed by Caloo Ltd, cost just over £40k and are funded from the City Council’s 2025/26 accessibility budget.
The project was led by Mark Annetts, Parks Officer at Salisbury City Council, alongside Kez Adey, CEO of DIGS. Kez said, “I'm really happy with the park. We can't wait to see it get used by everybody. It's great that it is all inclusive and that everybody is able to play here.
“The work that the City Council has done is fantastic, and I can't fault them…For us, it's a massive achievement. We are excited and…we're proud of it…We love it.”
Salisbury City Council invited residents to provide feedback on proposed improvements in September 2025. Construction began in December, and the play area is now back open to the public, with work completed in early January 2026.
These accessibility improvements come after a new tarmac path was installed at the Pinewood Way Open Space in July 2024, which allows wheelchair access to the green and play area.
Cllr Caroline Corbin, Councillor for the Bemerton Heath Ward, said, “It is great to have this improvement because it means that people of all abilities can actually interact and play together. And it's fun, even the adults that were here today from DIGS have had some great fun. It's brilliant.”
Cllr Richard Johnson, Councillor for the Bemerton Heath Ward and member of the Environment Committee, said, “As a parent of a nearly seven-year-old, I know how vital play parks are, but my work with DIGS has highlighted just how crucial it is that all children have the chance to play.
“This fantastic refurbishment shows that Salisbury City Council is listening to the lived experiences of disabled residents and delivering what our community truly needs. I'm incredibly proud to see this inclusive project in Bemerton Heath, as it's a perfect example of our vision for a more thoughtful, inclusive, and community-focused Salisbury.”
On Monday ,12th January 2026, Full Council approved an increase to take the accessibility budget to £50,000 for the next financial year.
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