By Tom Orde Crime and court reporter
Crowds in Hoglands Park, Southampton CROWDS of youths flocked to a Southampton city centre park last night in breach of Covid-19 regulations. More than 100 people descended on Hoglands Park on Thursday night. On arrival, police found groups playing loud music and drinking. Officers broke up the gathering which they warned was not helping the NHS. Police were called to Hoglands Park on Thursday night A post on the Southampton Cops Facebook page said: Southampton Central Neighbourhood Team responded to a COVID19 breach today in Hoglands Park. On arrival, the team were met with 100+ people gathered, playing loud music and drinking. Officers have dispersed the large group, but faces and names were captured. We look forward to knocking on your door tomorrow!
In Spring 2021, Hoglands Park in Southampton is set to open a £85,000 multi-use games area. The new, free-to-use facility will be available for all to keep active, both for informal recreation and organised sport, all year round.
The facility will include a polymeric sports surface, alongside basketball hoops, football goals and cage cricket markings, all of which should be open for use this Spring.
The project has been driven by a £24,000 contribution from Cage Cricket, with Southampton City Council securing the remaining investment from local developers. Community groups including West Itchen Community Trust and Awaaz Radio have also provided their involvement.
Work is now complete on the Daisy Dip play area in Swaythling. The project, part of Southampton City Council’s £1.2m investment to play areas and open spaces, was delivered by Southampton City Council’s City Services team in partnership with local contractors. It includes the installation of a new castle themed play area surrounded by a wildflower seeded moat with improved drainage to create an improved space for families to spend time outside together, and be active. The castle theme, chosen by the Friends of Daisy Dip and the local community, has a selection of equipment perfect for all ages, such as; a four-tower castle, castle gatehouse and steel slide, various swings, parkour, springers and a seesaw.
PLANS to replace a ‘derelict’ pavilion, that has stood empty in a Southampton park for more than 15 years, have been been approved. Southampton City Council, which is spearheading the scheme, said it hopes the project in Hoglands Park will allow more community groups to use the area.
The pavilion (left structure) in Hoglands Park is to be replaced to facilitate community activities and sports. The project, which will be financed by Safer Streets funding from the government, will see a new structure replace the two pavilion buildings located at the northern most end of the city centre park. As part of its reasons for approval, a statement from the council said: “Hoglands Park is central to an area with a disproportionately high crime rates, preventing residents from getting full use and enjoyment from the parkland.