PARENTS aiming to make improvements to a play area are hoping 2015 will be the year to get their project off the ground.

Southill Play Area Recreation for Kids (SPARK) is a community project launched by mums Helen Lainsbury and Sarah Polkinghorne in 2011.

The group’s petition collected 400 signatures calling for the Southill playground in Weymouth to be given a new lease of life.

Mum-of-two Helen, 33, said: “We started the petition because we felt that the park was lacking in its potential and it could be something much better if we brought it to the attention of the community.

“We have been working hard the past three years on hosting a few fundraisers but this year we are hoping to take it all to the next step.”

With the support of Labour candidate Pete Barrow, SPARK is hoping to rally the community together and gain the support and funding they need.

Pete said: “The reason I got involved in the petition is because I’ve got four grandchildren, with a fifth on the way, and we go down to the park frequently and it’s not fulfilling its potential and it would be very beneficial, not just for my family but for the entire community, to see it improved.”

The group is holding a meeting at Southill Emmanuel Church on February 28 to discuss their plans for the project with the public.

Helen said: “It will be a great opportunity to brainstorm some funding ideas, get the backing of the community and give everyone a chance to have their say.

“We really want the project to be more about us working together as a community.”

Pete said: “We are hoping the meeting will give the project a real boost to move it forward. I will be giving a brief presentation to explain our thoughts and then it’s over to the public.”

To get the community involved SPARK launched a logo competition in December with Southill Primary School for pupils to design an A4 logo for the project.

Headteacher of Southill Primary School, Paul Mason said: “We are very happy to support the group in their work in the area. The park has seen better days – it’s been there for a long time and it can certainly do with a revamp for the benefit of the younger children especially.”

The winners and runners up of each year group will be announced and prizes presented at the meeting at the end of this month.

Helen said: “We would really like to get some better equipment for children with a range of ages and abilities. We are also hoping to create enough funds for a skateboarding ramp.

“A lot of the children in the area skateboard down the slope and into the car park, which is dangerous so it would be nice to provide them with something that’s a bit safer.”

Pete said: “There are a few other projects happening in this area, for example the uncertainly over the future of the youth club, so it would be great to incorporate this into ours and we can work together to improve the entire area and boost the community.”

Due to a lack of available Government funding SPARK are relying on the support of the community to help fund and design their project.

To kickstart the funds Pete is taking part in this year’s charity cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Pete said: “We’re not just talking about adding a few new swings in; we are talking about making a real significant difference.”