Essex County Council began work on 3 February 2026 to upgrade play areas at Hadleigh Country Park in Rayleigh as part of a £335,000 programme to refurbish playgrounds across three county parks. The programme aims to replace aging play equipment with modern, inclusive structures that meet current safety standards.
The funding for the three-country-park upgrades — announced as part of ECC’s 2025/26 capital programme — includes new all-weather surfacing and multi-sensory equipment for children with disabilities. The wider investment follows the council’s 2025/26 budget approval.
A separate £60,000 allocation has been identified for improvements at Sweyne Park in Rayleigh. Rochford District Council ran a consultation on the Sweyne Park plans and local residents asked for play equipment that looks more natural and sits comfortably with the surrounding trees and woods; the Sweyne Park scheme is being managed locally and has its own timetable.
Cllr Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture, said the upgrades will help the next generation of families stay active and enjoy the county’s green spaces. ECC says work on the country park upgrades (including Hadleigh) is expected to be complete by July 2026; the timetable for the Sweyne Park improvements is being set by Rochford District Council.
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