We’ve done it once – we can do it again!

In March 2025 we opened our new 5-11s playground in Lowndes Park. It took us 2 years, but we raised £220,000 and created the most magical new play space for our children – you can read all about it and the heroes that made it happen here.  And now we need to do it again for the babies and toddlers.

Phase 2 – the Early Years playground

We need to raise a further £150,000 to build our babies and toddlers a playground to be proud of.

We’re also raising funds to replace the much loved zip line for the older children that was sadly taken down for safety reason in 2024.

Chesham’s pre-schoolers deserve a bigger, more accessible, inclusive and sustainable playground too.

We need YOUR help!

There are so many ways you can get involved.

• Make a donation via the Love Lowndes Crowdfunder
• Buy a Legacy Brick for the new path in the new playground
• Raise FREE MONEY via Easy Fundraising – sign up and shop online as usual and the brand sends us money. Winner!
• Organise your own sponsored event or fundraising activity on behalf of Love Lowndes. You can manage it all via the Crowdfunder. Click the Start Fundraising button on the Crowdfunder page and set up your own webpage (linked to ours and our bank account) and all funds go to Love Lowndes.

Watch this space!

We’ll be updating you with progress as the project goes along.

FAQs

What age group will it serve, and will it be inclusive?

The new playground will be designed for children aged 0 to 4. We plan to design it in a way that’s inclusive and accessible for children and carers – with good paths and a range of equipment to suit different ages, play styles and physical and social abilities. We want it to be a sensory experience with space to explore, reflect and play.

What else are you fundraising for?

We are also raising funds to replace the zip-wire and have plans to install a natural scramble and climb zone at the top of the park. The social swings with the park are great for teenagers. But we do hope to provide more opportunities for teens in the future.

Who will design and installed it?

There will be a thorough and transparent tender process managed by Chesham Town Council based on a design brief that will be created by the Love Lowndes committee. The committee will base the design brief of research and local public consultations.

Will it be muddy in the winter?

We hope not! We’ve plan on investing in new paths and high-quality wet-pour sprung surfacing around the main play equipment.

Will it be fenced?

Yes. The 0-4s playground will be hedged and/or fenced.

How much will it cost?

Our initial estimate is £150,000 with a further £12,000 and £10,000 required for the zip wire and natural play zones.

We know the number is eye-watering. But we’re opting for quality equipment and investing in more paths and larger areas of rubber flooring to be accessible to all and to make sure that the area doesn’t get waterlogged and muddy.

Where will the money come from?

Love Lowndes are responsible for fundraising for the new playground. They’ve currently raised £40,000. THe plan is to apply to grant funds and do local fundraising activities.

Why isn’t Chesham Town Council funding the new play park?

Chesham Town Council are committed to ensuring that the existing facilities at Lowndes Park can continue to be used and enjoyed by local residents. They have two permanent staff members on the Love Lowndes committee and three Councillors assigned to the group. Sadly local Government funding isn’t enough to cover the costs of new playgrounds so Love Lowndes was created to help find the extra money.

Why isn’t Buckinghamshire Council funding the new play park?

Chesham Town Council owns Lowndes Park so Buckinghamshire Council do not see it as part of their responsibility.

Who is responsible for ongoing care and maintenance?

Chesham Town Council owns Lowndes Park and they are responsible for maintenance of the play facilities.

The Friends of Lowndes Park (FOLP) is a local voluntary community group that represents the people who use the park. The aim of FOLP is to ensure the park is well cared for, maintained, and has a planned and healthy future. Love Lowndes is a FOLP fundraising project.

Why can’t we have a splash park?

We’ve looked in great detail into this. Our park has some unique challenges like the geese. We’re also not a large park with very few flat surfaces. It’s hard to accommodate all desired facilities in Lowndes Park’s small and challenging footprint. A rough guide for the installation of a splash park is £300k. And the ongoing annual management and maintenance is at least £50k pa. It’s not feasible for the Council.

Will you replace the Zip Line?

Yes! Fundraising has already started. We plan to replace the zip line (and re-site it closer to the new 5-11s playground) and also create a new 0-4s playground.

Have you thought about the environment and sustainability?

This is a key part of our design process. We’ve liaised with various bodies while fundraising to make sure we’re thinking about the impact the new playground would have.

• The new playground will work with the existing topography to reduce ground disturbance
• We will design the playground around established trees
• We will endeavour to add new tress plus pollinator-rich planting schemes in new beds and borders