A new £671,000 inclusive playground has opened at East Beach in Shoeburyness, giving families a new seafront attraction in time for the October half-term.
The coastal-themed play area opened on Friday 16 October, featuring wheelchair-accessible equipment, sensory activities and a giant submarine complete with its own periscope.
Designed to bring children of different ages and abilities together, the playground was developed with input from local families and the Southend SEND Independent Forum.
What’s at the new Shoebury East Beach playground?
The playground takes inspiration from its seaside setting, with colourful flooring representing the sea, sand and grass.
- Wheelchair-accessible equipment, including an accessible swing, roundabout and seesaw.
- Sensory play features incorporating sound, colour, touch and interactive elements.
- Climbing and balancing equipment for different ages and abilities.
- Inclusive play trails, including equipment that can be used through upper-body strength by children with lower-limb disabilities.
- A large submarine play structure, complete with a periscope and inspired by Shoeburyness’s maritime heritage.
- Natural play features, including grassy mounds, stepping logs, trees and planting.
- Shaded seating areas for parents, carers and families.
The aim is to create a space where children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can enjoy playing alongside other children.
East Beach was chosen partly because of its transport connections and facilities, including a large car park, coach parking, a nearby railway station and bus services. Visitors can also use two nearby cafés and upgraded public toilets, including a Changing Places facility for people with complex accessibility needs and their carers.
There are also plans for an accessible boardwalk connecting the playground directly to the beach, although a completion date has not been confirmed.
A project years in the making
While the playground has opened under the current council administration, the idea and planning work stretch back several years.
Former Southend councillor Lydia Hyde highlighted her role in championing the scheme, explaining that an inclusive destination playground was among the first proposals she brought forward after being elected.
Her Better Play motion called for a specially designed space where children with SEND and children without additional needs could play together. Hyde said she subsequently worked to secure funding, involve parent groups and the community, and develop the design.
Reflecting on the opening, she said: “I’m so pleased to have worked hard to make this become a reality.”
A spokesperson for the Southend SEND Independent Forum said: “We are pleased to see a focus on creating more inclusive play spaces for children and young people in Southend. Opportunities for children of all abilities to play alongside one another are so important, and we welcome initiatives that aim to make local spaces more accessible and welcoming for families.”
Families give the new playground a warm welcome
Edel, from Southchurch, was among the first visitors with her 18-month-old son, Rian. She said he thoroughly enjoyed exploring the playground and that they would definitely be returning to East Beach more often.
Local resident Debra Gibbs welcomed the completed project, although she noted it had missed the summer holidays.
“I have been watching the progress of this playground. Pity it wasn’t completed for the glorious summer that we had! But worth waiting for as it looks great.”
Local campaigner Lee Clark added: “This park is a long time coming and it’s fantastic.”
Rod Norman said: “Looks great. Nice to see some decent decisions being made to improve the area. I’ll be taking the kids there.”
Council leaders welcome £671,000 investment
Councillor Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend City Council, and Councillor Cheryl Nevin, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, visited the playground on Friday.
Cllr Nevin said: “This is a fantastic new space where young people with different needs can play together, and families can enjoy everything East Beach has to offer.
“A lot of care has gone into making the playground welcoming and accessible, and I’m looking forward to seeing it enjoyed by families from Shoeburyness and across Southend.”
Cllr Cowan said: “When we promised to invest in Southend’s parks and playgrounds, we meant it. This fantastic new £671,000 playground at East Beach is another example of our administration delivering on that promise and making a real difference to families across our city.”
He added: “Every child deserves somewhere they can play, have fun and make memories, regardless of their abilities or additional needs.”
Councillor Steven Wakefield, Deputy Cabinet Member, also welcomed the opening, highlighting improvements made around East Beach.
“This fully accessible playground is another major step forward. I am grateful to our community and partners, including the Southend SEND Independent Forum, whose input has helped create a place where children of all abilities can play together.”
Part of wider improvements to Southend’s parks
The £671,000 East Beach playground forms part of Southend City Council’s Civic Pride Action Plan.
It complements the council’s separate £2 million Parks Improvement Programme, which covers Southchurch Park, Oakwood Park, Friars Park and Bournes Green Park.
The programme includes new and refurbished playground equipment, improved accessibility, new play surfaces, benches, paths and additional planting.
At East Beach, the playground builds on improvements to the surrounding area, including cafés, parking, CCTV and accessible public toilets. Families can now visit the new facilities during the October half-term and enjoy the wider Shoeburyness seafront.