More than £1 million is being poured into creating and sprucing up play areas for children in Bradford.
Bradford Council has been awarded £1.1 million funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, via the Bradford Play Partnership, towards boosting play opportunities at 22 sites across the district by March 2011.
By March 2010 about £500,000 will be spent on 11 projects. Some are already underway and all are based on natural play with special features such as nature, water and adventure, and aimed at children aged eight to 13.
The revamped Townfield playground in Wilsden has now been completed and includes adventure equipment, such as 4m-high climbing net, playhouse, tunnel and new swings, and is set to be officially opened by the village gala queen and king on Wednesday, November 4, time at 4pm.
This scheme has been part funded by Wilsden parish council.
Other projects include introducing water, light and sound to the playground at St Ives in Bingley, which was given an extensive revamp in the spring; developing the Binns Street and Jer Street play area in Bingley after consulting local children; and installing zip wires and climbing frames at Scholemoor Ashy.
The Steeton-with-Eastburn play area is to be refurbished and eight to 13-year-olds have requested a bicycle area for scrambling and tricks; Oxenhope Active Kids playground will be expanded; an eco-friendly building is to be installed at the Eccleshill Big Swing adventure playground which children can use for climbing, sliding and swinging; and youth and natural materials are being installed at Woodbank play area in Keighley, such as willow tunnels, tree trunks and boulders.
A new playground is being built next to Bracken Bank community centre in Keighley. In Horton Grange another development, which has been driven by the Spencer Road Working group, includes rocky outcrops for climbing and balancing.
Titus Salt secondary and Saltaire, Glenaire and Wycliffe Primary schools have been consulted about how they would like to see the play area developed in Roberts Park, Saltaire, and plans include basket swings, sand play and willow tunnels. This is in conjunction with funding from the heritage Lottery Fund.
Coun Michael Kelly, the Council's Executive Member for Services to Children and Young People, said: "This funding is a wonderful coup for children across the district as it means we can create exciting and interesting play areas for them to enjoy.
"Play is an essential part of learning as it helps children develop a wide range of skills, both physical and mental, while giving them the confidence to try new activities while also having fun and keeping active.
"The play theme is also a key area of the first strand of the district's b someone campaign which is about adults supporting children in developing their skills and fulfil their potential."
Officer/Contact
Heather Fox
Publicity and Communications Officer for Early Years
Telephone: 01274 434403
Media Relations Officer
Carolyne Coyle
Telephone: 01274 432400
Fax: 01274 432005
Email: press.communications@bradford.gov.uk
Date: 2.11.09
