Darlington
Children celebrate opening of town's largest play area
HUNDREDS of children enjoyed the rewards of months of hard work and the hot summer weather at a special celebration.
The biggest and most expensive play area in Darlington was opened in the Denes on Saturday following an extensive campaign.
The play area, which has cost £170,000, was opened by mayor Councillor Marian Swift and her junior consort for the day Elly Adam.
Six-year-old Elly lives in the area and has watched the work progress, in the play Dene, off Greenbank Road and Craig Street.
She has reported incidents of anti-social behaviour to ensure the success of the scheme.
The new play area includes a variety of equipment, which was chosen following consultation with local schools Reid Street, Corporation Road, Cockerton and Holy Family as well as uniformed groups including the boys brigade and brownies.
Two fun days were held last year to gauge more opinion and promote the project. More than 3,500 questionnaires were sent out, before the plans were approved in January.
The park includes one of the largest pieces of play equipment in the country, and a giant slide on one of the banks has yet to be added.
As well as the money funded by Darlington Borough Council's local area agreement on the park, more money has been set aside to improve the access and fencing.
At yesterday's opening were groups involved in the process, including The Friends of the Dene and regeneration charity Groundwork. There were a number of stalls and a stand to show the work on the project.
Councillor Stephen Harker, a member of the friends group, said: "It speaks for itself with the amount of people who have come down here today. There are children from all over Darlington.
"Residents have agreed that we needed this. There is a lot of terraced housing in this area so many people dont have gardens.
"There was a play area here before but it was well past its best and it was quite old in terms of what it was.
"What is here now is far more imaginative for a child."
Lisa Kwok, from Groundwork, said: "The children identified what equipment they wanted to see in the play area. They chose it for the big slide and the equipment which is quite different to the rest of the town.
"I'm really pleased with the final play area. The results show with the amount of people here today."
4:29pm Sunday 11th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Dave, Darlo on 11:05pm Mon 12 May 08
'Six-year-old Elly lives in the area and has watched the work progress, in the play Dene, off Greenbank Road and Craig Street.
She has reported incidents of anti-social behaviour to ensure the success of the scheme'
LOL no wonder Darlington is that bad the council have a 6 yr old advising them on antisocial behaviour, LMAO
'Six-year-old Elly lives in the area and has watched the work progress, in the play Dene, off Greenbank Road and Craig Street.
She has reported incidents of anti-social behaviour to ensure the success of the scheme'
LOL no wonder Darlington is that bad the council have a 6 yr old advising them on antisocial behaviour, LMAO
Posted by: Ste Dixon, Sunderland (ex of Darlo) on 11:52pm Mon 12 May 08
And what would you prefer then, the incidents to go unreported. Give the little lass a pat on the back, at least she cares.
And what would you prefer then, the incidents to go unreported. Give the little lass a pat on the back, at least she cares.
Posted by: harry, darlington on 4:26pm Tue 13 May 08
am i little out of touch because i wouldnt have let my 6 year old go to any play area without a adult.
am i little out of touch because i wouldnt have let my 6 year old go to any play area without a adult.
Posted by: DaveH, Darlington on 4:11pm Wed 14 May 08
*YAWN* where did it mention the 6 year old was even playing in the play area let alone by there by herself.. im with ste dixon on this well done to her for reporting the offenders....
*YAWN* where did it mention the 6 year old was even playing in the play area let alone by there by herself.. im with ste dixon on this well done to her for reporting the offenders....
Posted by: B H, Darlington on 8:13pm Sat 17 May 08
Well done to Ellie for reporting the anti-social behaviour, just a shame more people dont do it! I live directly behind the park and since its been done its been nothing but trouble, the final straw is that one of my windows has now been smashed by teenagers in the park as the council couldnt be bothered to finish the job properly!
Well done to Ellie for reporting the anti-social behaviour, just a shame more people dont do it! I live directly behind the park and since its been done its been nothing but trouble, the final straw is that one of my windows has now been smashed by teenagers in the park as the council couldnt be bothered to finish the job properly!
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