Another thrilling new children’s play park is poised to be built in Erewash – thanks to the new Erewash Investment Fund that is seeing up to £2million pour into the community after it was launched by the borough council.
The £400,000 “castle-themed” fun zone will be called Fort Elka – after the Anglo-Saxon chieftain who according to legend founded Ilkeston. Elka, sometimes spelt Elch or Elcha, is reputed to have been a 6th Century contemporary of King Arthur. His settlement is said to have originally been called Elka’s Town.
The borough council is set to begin a search for a prime spot to locate the new play mecca near Ilkeston in Kirk Hallam. The town itself is already getting a £160,000 jungle-themed kids park at Wash Meadows, known locally as Johnny’s Park.
The money for that was clinched from the Government via the East Midlands Mayor. It followed Long Eaton last year getting a showcase £400,000 playground in West Park – also thanks to what is known as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Cllr Josy Hare, who is the town hall’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are determined to ensure everyone benefits from the new Erewash Investment Fund – and that includes our youngest residents.
“The fun zone at Wash Meadows saw local people get to vote on the design for it – which is what happened with the one in West Park. Watch this space for more announcements about Fort Elka – which will be another brilliant place for youngsters to enjoy themselves.”
The announcement is among fresh projects being fuelled by the Erewash Investment Fund – which since its summer launch has allocated a total of £711,000 to enhancing the lives of local people. Initiatives have included smartening up the borough’s town centres. There have also been grants to boost organisations doing good work in the community – and these are poised to be bolstered.
Other funding is helping to make the council’s car parks free to use during the whole of December this year and in 2026 and 2027. The aim is to boost Christmas shopping.
Another newly revealed initiative is a one-off fund of £180,000 that is being set aside for parish councils to make use of. Details of how they can submit bids to share in it over the next two years will be announced shortly.
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