Parish officially takes over Sandy Park

Monday, 15 June 2026 07:50

Sandy Park is now officially the responsibility of the Parish of Grouville.

The lease passed through Jersey's Royal Court on Friday (12 June), nearly a year after a Parish Assembly voted to take over the park's upkeep from the government's Infrastructure department.

The popular play area at Longbeach is currently closed for maintenance, but we're told the aim is to have it reopen in time for the summer holidays.

Plan to reopen Sandy Park by school holidays

The parish has taken on a 50 year lease, and Constable Mark Labey told Channel 103 it had to sure of the long-term commitment it was making.

Constable Labey said work is required, as recommended in inspection reports which are made on the park every four months, but he described the repairs as 'all very minor'.

"We've had a programme in place for a very long time now of contractors to come in and do things like repair the fence, which isn't fit for purpose. We need to dig out one of the benches, we need to re-level the site, we need to do the maintenance on the equipment that the reports have mentioned to do."

He says the area is 'iconic'.

"Seriously, just sit on one of those benches and look at the view - you've got the castle, France in the distance, the beach, the tide coming in.... it's a beautiful, stunning place.

You've got a beach cafe, ice cream van, a massive car park where you are guaranteed a space. It's a wonderful facility - let's keep it going."

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