Saumarez park seeks £500k ‘make over’

Date:  11^th June 2012

After 20 years, Saumarez Park, the most popular in Guernsey, is set for a radical and exciting make over, if plans to raise £500,000 are achieved. To help reach this goal, a new charity has been launched to raise funds for the most exciting adventure playground Guernsey has ever seen, with the latest equipment the industry has to offer. The central attraction of the park is to be a giant wooden ship with slides, ropes and various levels in symbolic representation to Admiral Lord de Saumarez’s achievements.

Playground experts were recruited to provide assistance on the most popular and latest apparatus enjoyed by kids. Feedback from frequent users of the park has ensured that the Zip wire will stay, whilst the mud filled pond could be dredged out and made into a model boating lake and if enough money is raised, the latest in outdoor adult exercise apparatus shall be installed, to encourage families to play and exercise together.

The original plans for the new playground were unveiled at the launch of the appeal in January and, so far, approximately £50,000 has been donated/pledged, towards the new playground plans.

The new charity ‘The Friends of Saumarez Park Playground’ (FOSP) have exciting plans to promote what is an important recreational facility for Guernsey’s children and future generations by setting up a legacy fund. This will ensure future generations have ample funds available to ensure the park maintains its importance as the key park in Guernsey.

 ‘As a regular user of the park with my own kids, I was impressed with the plans and was keen to be part of the fund raising efforts in creating what will be the pride of Guernsey in terms of recreational facilities. We have the full backing of Environment to deliver the plans as visualised, with a commitment that they will maintain and look after the park once built. We are keen to engage with businesses and groups of all sizes and those individuals across the community who feel this is a most worth while cause and want to help us achieve our goals.’ Zef Eisenberg, FOSP Chairman

 “The new plans for the playground are inspiring and we all want to see the new equipment installed as soon as possible.   Saumarez Park is one of Guernsey’s best loved meeting places and the playground is very important to families. Guernseymums, FOSP - committee member

FOSP are looking to engage with local schools, to allow kids to be involved in the creation of this exciting new facility. Likewise generous donors will have the opportunity to be recognised for generations to come with various creative marketing opportunities.

Subject to attracting sufficient funds, it is anticipated that the new playground build will commence end of 2013.  The target amount to be raised is £500,000.

Editor Notes

·        For further information regarding this Press release, please contact;
 Zef Eisenberg on:  Zef@Maxicorp.co.uk

·       Anyone interested in supporting the fund raising effort, or obtaining more information on the playground and sponsorship opportunities, can contact the Secretary of The Friends of Saumarez Park Playground, Hazel Seymour Tel: 07839 151073.

·       Whilst ongoing maintenance of the playground is kindly provided by the States of Guernsey, it has never received capital funding from it.  The last playground was privately funded in 1993 through the generosity of a local Trust, which provided a sum in the order of £300,000.  Previous to this, the playground was funded through the efforts of the Lions Club and the support of local companies.

·       The Friends of Saumarez Park Playground is a Registered Guernsey LBG Charity under the Charities and Non Profit Organisations Law, 2008, number CH409 and is a member of the Association of Guernsey Charities. The registered address is: Le Mouillage, Vale Road, St Sampson’s, GY2 4DP.

·       Committee members of the ‘Friends of Saumarez park’ Charity are;

Zef Eisenberg:                           Chairman
Andy McCutcheon:                    Vice Chairman
Hazel Seymour:                         Secretary
Guernseymums:                        Promotion & Publicity
Deputy Heidi Soulsby:                Treasurer