Playgrounds slide in with cash for revamp

The first 12 play areas to be revamped in a Black Country town as part of a £2.6 million improvement scheme have been revealed.

A total of 28 sites in Dudley borough will benefit from a scheme funded by a Department for Children, Schools and Families grant. Work is part of the Play Pathfinder Project to create new play facilities for 20,000 children and young people. The sites chosen for improvement follow a 10-week consultation period with young people and families visiting parks and play areas.

The first 12 play areas to receive funding have been proposed by Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for education, and Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for the environment and culture.

They are Abbey Street, Tenscore Recreation Area, Woodside Park, Brewery Fields, Chapel Street, Bredon Road, Churchward Close, Greenfield Gardens, Milking Bank, King George V, Wordsley and Leasowes play area.

Plans are also in the pipeline for new outdoor and indoor children's adventure playground at Sycamore Green Centre. It is expected to be completed ready for use by October 2009.

Being in Castle and Priory Ward, close to the Wren's Nest and Priory housing estates, the council says the centre is ideally placed to provide high-quality facilities for children, particularly for those with disabilities and learning difficulties.

The project will also establish a new Dudley Play Service within Childrens' Services, based at the Sycamore Green children's playground.

The new service will involve a team of full time, part-time and voluntary play rangers who will work within the Children's Extended Services Team across the borough.

The selection of the remaining 16 play areas will be recommended following a further round of community nominations.