The new play area, located in the south of the park,?provides challenging and creative play features in a woodland environment, whilst incorporating?the top five favourite ways to play, as identified through a survey of children and parents carried out last summer.
The name, ‘Lakeside Adventure’ was?chosen following a Facebook appeal for suggestions and the team at Heaton Park have been supported by children of Bowker Vale Primary School to celebrate the opening. As well as?helping to put the finishing touches to the site, by building a wooden bridge, they designed a special ‘launch’ poster and this can now be seen in noticeboards around the park.
Located in the south of the park, near the boating lake and caf?, it features swings, slides, tree houses, balancing logs and in-ground trampolines, plus materials for children to build their own wooden dens.?Accessible play equipment, and activities suitable for younger children have?been incorporated into the design, to ensure that as wide a range of children as possible can enjoy the facility.
Clean City funding was secured to fund?the project, which has been designed by the award-winning landscape architects Davies White Ltd, with advice from Tim Gill,?an independent expert on risk in play, who has previously worked on the Olympic Park in London.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, the council’s executive member for skills, culture and leisure, said: ?Outdoor play helps our children to learn, develop new skills and make new friends, which is essential for their physical and mental well-being.