£40,000 play area is opened

A play area at a Burntwood park has been transformed with £40,000 funding from Staffordshire County Council's Playbuilder programme.

Brand new equipment, including a tyre swings, a spider's web climbing frame, a giant see saw and a huge basket swing, has been installed in Redwood Park.

Mary Cooke, play development manager for Lichfield District Council, said: "We asked lots of local children and parents for their thoughts on how could improve the play area.

"They gave us loads of ideas about the type of play equipment they would find the most fun to play on, and also told us they wanted to keep some of the old play equipment such as the slide and climbing frame. I hope they like the results and enjoy playing here for years to come."

District council chairman Councillor John Wilks and Burntwood county councillor Eric Drinkwater officially opened the new and improved play area on Saturday.

"I was pleased to open this wonderful new play ground. I am sure children will have great fun on all the new equipment," said Councillor Wilks.

Councillor Drinkwater said: "It is our aim to give parents the confidence to encourage their children to play independently, and to take risks in a safe and stimulating environment. This revamped play area will be a great resource for local children to use and improves the park no end."

The new play area is the latest in a wide range of improvements to the park, including a new £45,000 multi use games area, which has been funded by the Big Lottery Fund Children's Play Programme.

A community pride spring clean and safety event was held at the park last month.

Local agencies joined forces with around 50 local people to tidy up the area.

Graffiti has also been removed and skips were put out so local people could throw away unwanted bulky waste.