Peter Pan's Playground Explained

Peter Pans Playground
Location:Worthing
Location2:West Sussex
Location3:England
Owner:Worthing Borough Council
Opening Date:1951
Closing Date:2010
Status:closed
Season:10.15am - 5.30pm. Easter holidays and weekends until mid May. Then daily to mid September.

Peter Pan's Playground was an amusement park in the coastal resort of Worthing, West Sussex, England for young children under 11 years of age (children had to be accompanied by an adult)

History

Set in the former grounds of the Beach House, Worthing, in 1951[1] Peter Pan's Playground was created with a miniature train, play barn, crazy cars, flying chairs, trampolines and a castle and a cafe. It was surrounded by a paddling pool, boating pool and tennis courts and the beach and promenade.

The admission fee included unlimited access to all the attractions within the park (excluding the crazy golf), all day long, including re-entry. They originally used hand stamps (and later on waterproof wristbands) upon leaving the park which could be used to re-enter on the same day without further charges allowing use of the neighbouring facilities such as the paddling pool.[2]

In 2003 it was acquired by Clive Hagger[3] [4] who restored and updated the attraction with a ball pond, punch bags, a bouncy castle and a large inflatable slide.

During Christmas 1951 the site was flooded.[5]

Closure

In 2009 the future began to look uncertain for the playground as plans were drawn up to put a new £17 million pound swimming pool complex on the site to replace the neighbouring Aqaurena pool[6] This was deeply unpopular as no alternative location was being offered for the attraction and the replacement pool Splashpoint was going to be smaller and cause the loss of the neighbouring paddling pool and boating lake.Eventually the playground closed for the last time in September 2010.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The lost open-air children's play areas of Worthing seafront. www.worthingherald.co.uk.
  2. Web site: Things To Do & Family Days Out In The UK. Day Out With The Kids.
  3. Web site: A wry look at Worthing. The Argus.
  4. Web site: Play area boost. The Argus.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20191030183454fw_/http://www.feestspada.com/worthing_history/history_pages/html/worthing_under_water.html Worthing under water
  6. Web site: Future of Worthing's Peter Pan's playground uncertain. The Argus.
  7. Web site: Worthing Peter Pan’s Playground closes - News - Worthing Herald . www.worthingherald.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110218095414/http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/worthing_peter_pan_s_playground_closes_1_1392994 . 2011-02-18.