New Street Play Area is an important community space for children, families and other residents in Upton upon Severn, but some basic facilities need improvement to make the area more comfortable, accessible, hygienic and pleasant for everyone who uses it.

We are asking Upton upon Severn Town Council, working with Malvern Hills District Council and other relevant bodies where necessary, to improve four areas.

Better seating
Although seating is already available, additional and better-positioned seating would give parents, carers, grandparents and other visitors more comfortable places from which to supervise children, particularly during busy periods.

Permanent shade and shelter over seating areas
There is very limited protection from direct sunlight or poor weather around the existing seating areas.

We are asking for permanent shade and shelter structures positioned directly over appropriate benches and tables, so that people supervising children have somewhere protected from both strong sunlight and rain.

The existing benches and tables are metal and are not designed for structures to be attached directly to them. Any shelter could therefore be independently installed and securely anchored into the ground around the existing seating, allowing the furniture to remain in place.

Suitable options could include permanent canopies, covered shelters or similar robust structures designed for public spaces.

Shade and shelter should be positioned so that parents and carers can still maintain a clear view of the play equipment while seated.

Proper toilets and hand-washing facilities
Convenient toilet provision is particularly important in a public recreation area used by young children and families, pregnant women, older people, disabled people including those with hidden disabilities, people with mobility difficulties, people with continence, bladder or bowel conditions, carers supporting disabled adults or children, and anyone who may need urgent or frequent access to a toilet because of a medical need or medication.

For some visitors, access to a toilet is not simply a matter of convenience. It can determine whether they are able to use the playground or recreation area at all, how long they are able to remain there, and whether they can do so with dignity and confidence.

At present, some visitors are resorting to using areas behind the nearby Severn Trent pumping/sewage infrastructure as an informal toilet area. This is not an appropriate situation beside a children's recreation space and raises clear concerns about hygiene, dignity and the suitability of the facilities available to the public.

We are therefore asking for convenient and accessible toilet facilities at or close to the playground.

Any provision should include:

• accessible toilet facilities;
• proper hand-washing facilities with running water and soap;
• baby-changing facilities; and
• a location that is genuinely convenient for people using the playground and recreation area.

These facilities would benefit not only families with young children, but the wider community using the recreation ground.

More litter bins and recycling facilities
There is also a need for more conveniently located litter and recycling bins around the recreation area.

In particular, additional bins are needed closer to Cinders Coffee Box and around the skate park, where people are more likely to be consuming food and drinks or spending longer periods of time.

We would like to see:

• additional general-waste bins in the areas where people naturally congregate;
• clearly marked recycling bins so that recyclable cans, bottles and other packaging can be separated from general waste;
• bins positioned conveniently near Cinders Coffee Box and the concrete ramps, as well as other high-use areas; and
• an appropriate emptying and maintenance schedule so that additional bins do not become overfilled.

Providing bins where they are actually needed would make it easier for visitors to dispose of rubbish responsibly, encourage recycling and help keep the playground and surrounding recreation area clean and pleasant for everyone.

A practical community improvement
We are not asking for a particular design or solution to be imposed.

We are asking the councils to assess the available options, consult local residents and users of the playground and recreation ground, and develop a practical plan for:

• better and more appropriately positioned seating;
• permanent shade and weather shelter;
• proper accessible toilet and hand-washing facilities; and
• more litter bins and recycling facilities in the areas where they are most needed.

Please sign this petition if you support making New Street Play Area and the surrounding recreation ground a cleaner, more comfortable, accessible and welcoming community space.