Brand new splash park for Canvey Island in £20m revamp
The island previously had a splash park at The Paddocks Community Centre but is closed in 2019
A brand new splash park will be built on Canvey as part of major plans for the island.
The new splash park is part of a larger £20 million government investment plan for the island, which will also go towards improving shopfronts, local community buildings and Canvey Lake.
The plans have been welcomed by local residents such as Joan Liddiard, 78; “I am very pleased, the splash park is very much needed,” she said.
The island previously had a splash park at The Paddocks Community Centre, in Long Road, but that has been closed since 2019.
The investment for the island has been a long time coming, with local residents complaining that the High Street and the local Knightswick Shopping Centre had been “dwindling away”, with blame attributed to high rents and rates for local businesses.
Mrs Liddiard also welcomed plans for money to be set aside to protect Canvey Lake, which she called the “jewel in Canvey’s crown”. The borough council is taking ownership of the lake after toxic algae killed hundreds of fish over the last few years.
Dave Blackwell, leader of the council, called the investment a “major and positive milestone” for Canvey. He said: “This long‑term funding puts residents’ priorities at the heart of regeneration and we look forward to working hand‑in‑hand with the community and our partners to deliver projects that will make a lasting difference.”