Cheshire East Council has secured a £50,000 grant to build an innovative natural play area in Leighton Brook Park in Crewe.
The funding has come from the Landfill Communities Funds of Waste Recycling Group Ltd administered by Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN).
Leighton Brook Park is a 10-hectare open space located in the west end of Crewe. It is the only significant recreational facility in the wards of St Barnabas, Grosvenor and Coppenall.
The park already has a new play area (also funded by WREN) which has proved extremely popular with local children. The area also has CCTV and lighting.
However following consultation with local community groups and residents, a need has been identified in the area for more challenging play opportunities for older children and teenagers. The consultation was carried out by Cheshire East Council.
It was decided that the new play facility would be based on ‘natural play’. This is where materials such as climbing boulders, fallen logs and stepping stones are used to encourage physical exercise with an element of managed risk and creativity.
Local adults and children all had their say on the ‘natural play’ designs. It will take the format of an earthwork wrapping along the back of the multi-use games area, and grass bank seating.
From this embankment children can relax, climb and observe. At the base of the landform will be a group of totem poles, carved green oak trees and multiple tyre swings.
Work will start on September 6 and it is hoped to be finished by end of October.
Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing said: “The new natural play area will encourage young people to socialise, play and exercise together.
“I hope that many council-led and community-based schemes use the improved park facilities for their activities.
Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services said: “The work will drastically change the way Leighton Brook Park looks and the way people interact with that environment.
“This part of Crewe is a regeneration area and I am certain that this work will enhance many local residents’ quality of life.”
Mayor of Crewe, Jacquie Weatherill, said: “I cannot wait for work to start on this exciting project.
“It will make a real difference to children in the local community.”
The problem with this is they have had lots of play areas over the years and each time its wrecked I was there today and noted the nice new sign has already gone
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