It’s child’s play – ten more play areas for Solihull
From Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ken Meeson on 27 November 2009
Ten more play areas have been improved in Solihull as part of a borough wide project to provide local children with better places to play.
Solihull Council has been granted over £1 million through Play England as part of the national ‘Playbuilder’ scheme which will see 27 play areas improved in the borough.
Six of the play areas were finished in March this year, now ten more have been completed at: Babbs Mill Park, Beechcroft open space, Bluebell recreation ground, Brookside recreation ground, Chadwick End, Elmdon Coppice, Hillfield Park, Malvern Park, Olton Jubilee Park and Knowle Park.
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ken Meeson said: “The ‘Playbuilder’ programme has given a real boost to play opportunities and this has been augmented by support from local organisations. We want to give children the chance to have fun and adventure in great places to play near to where they live and through working in partnership we have made this a reality for lots of young people. It is great that 16 play areas have already been completed – and there are more to come.”
In Knowle Park, the play area now features a nest swing, rock spinner, zip wire, trio rocker, pod swing, rotating beam and activity trail with climbing net.
This project was supported by the Friends of Knowle Park who helped with consultation to choose the equipment and then raised £11,000 towards the scheme. Play England, who monitor and challenge Solihull in the delivery of Playbuilder, have noted this as good practice, with match funding and partnership working being key to the success of all Playbuilder projects.
Jill Chape, Treasurer for the Friends of Knowle Park added: “We are really pleased with the improvements that we have been able to make as part of the Playbuilder scheme – local children think the new play area is great. I’d like to thank everyone who helped to make this project possible including the Knowle and Dorridge Lions and local people whose donations at festivals and other events contributed to the funding.”
The new play equipment for all of the play areas that have been improved has been chosen to challenge children and encourage an element of risk and adventure.
Earlier this year, the Council was awarded an extra grant of over £40k from the Disabled Children’s Access to Childcare Fund to provide extra play equipment suitable for children with a disability such as musical play panels or roundabouts accessible to children in wheelchairs.
Work will start on improving the 11 remaining play areas in April next year.
For more information about play areas in Solihull visit: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/parks/playfacilities.htm or call 0121 704 6000.
For press and media enquiries only: 0121 704 6136
Email: juharrison@solihull.gov.uk