Work to begin on adventure play areas
Work is set to start on two play areas being developed as part of a £3.3 million investment in parks and open spaces in Sandwell.
Work is set to start on two play areas being developed as part of a £3.3 million investment in parks and open spaces in Sandwell.
Climbing walls, zipwires and slides are among the facilities being put in at nine sites across the borough .
Computer generated images have also been released showing a zipwire and slide at Brunswick Park in Wednesbury and a zipwire and forest trail to be set up at Barnford Park, Oldbury. Other developments include a £20,000 adventure playground at Oak House in West Bromwich.
The work on the Oak House development is being paid for with Lottery cash.
And work has already started on a zipwire in Tipton's Victoria Park.
A total of £600,000 is being spent in the first wave of developments, which also include developments at the Norman Deeley Playing Fields in Wednesbury, Oak Barns in West Bromwich, Tividale Park in Tividale, Broadwell Park in Oldbury, Jubilee Park in Tipton and Victoria Park, Smethwick.
Other sites have also been identified for investments, with consultation now ongoing with community groups through the borough.
The sites include Sandwell Valley Park Farm and Forge Farm in Sandwell Valley, Charlemont Open Space in West Bromwich, Redhouse Park in Great Barr, Brickhouse Open Space in Smethwick, Haden Hill Park in Rowley Regis, West Smethwick Park in Smethwick and Surrey Crescent open space in West Bromwich.
The cash is made up of 2.7million from the Department of Children, Schools and Families, £350,000 from the Big Lottery fund and £304,000 from Sandwell Council.
The cash has to be spent by 2011, so it is hoped work will be able to start on all projects as soon as possible.
Councillor Ian Jones, children and young people's boss at Sandwell Council, said: "This is great news for youngsters across the borough.
"It is wonderful that we are able to provide these additional park facilities for our children so they can enjoy our parks more fully.
"Outdoor play will help tackle issues of childhood obesity and as are the free swimming sessions on offer for our young people.
"So far around 30,000 free sessions have been accessed by our young people."
