Will Fearow gets to grips with the new play equipment at Woodgate Park, Bill Quay, Gateshead with help from his father Peter.
A new play park which helps children to be more adventurous and discover the joys of the natural world was officially opened in Gateshead on Friday.
A pirate ship and a huge climbing tower, a big sand pit and the chance to get seriously wet will make Woodgate Park a certain hit with kids in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead this summer.
The park with its newly created wild flower meadow planted by local children is the latest to receive a massive makeover by Gateshead Council as part of a £1.2m scheme to transform 22 parks across the borough by 2011. The equipment all features natural materials such as wood and sand to help kids come into contact with some of the experiences which they would in the ‘real’ world.
The natural play experiences are part of a new initiative to introduce challenge into children’s play to allow them to learn from their experiences rather than being ‘wrapped in cotton wool’.
The official opening was carried out on Friday (19 June) by Mayor of Gateshead Cllr John Eagle and Dave Taylor, now the assistant director – regional teams, of Play England. Dave Taylor said: "I was a playworker in Gateshead when Woodgate Park was first created. I was there at its first opening! The Woodgate Park project has always been driven by the children, young people and adults who live locally to it.
“It is a testament to how a lasting and effective relationship between the council and a strong community can really pay dividends. The community and the council transformed a space and were forward thinking. Way back when this was first opened, I remember even then the design involved water play and used natural materials over steel, all to make the environment more playful and inviting. They continue in that child-centred approach now, and I'm very proud to see that it has been given a complete refurbishment using money from the government's playbuilder programme.
“I now work with Play England, and our role has been to work with local authorities as they develop play sites using government funding. It has been a pleasure to see Gateshead Council engage with the children, young people and adults who live and play here, and respond so positively to the latest thinking in designing play space."
Living tepees were also constructed by local children on the day as part of the opening festivities which will stay in the park as play ‘dens’.
Funding for the new and more stimulating equipment has come from the Department for Children, Schools and Families which is investing £235m nationally and was also responsible for the research which highlighted the importance of play which allowed children to learn more about risk in their lives. Extra funding to carry out more improvement works to Woodgate Park such as new fencing has come from Gateshead Council and The Gateshead Housing Company.
Gateshead Council cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Catherine Donovan said: “In recent years play areas have been designed to deliberately remove almost any element of risk, almost wrapping the children playing there in cotton wool. It is now recognised that to give children the chance to play in challenging environments without the cotton wool is essential to their development.
“These new play areas achieve that so well, by introducing children and young people to natural materials they are allowed to gain independence and learn decision making skills which will prepare them for adult life.”
Community groups which are keen to develop ‘natural’ play areas in their neighbourhood can apply to Gateshead Council for funding by contacting Philippa Jeffery on 0191 4335074 or email philippajeffery@gateshead.gov.uk Final closing date for funding applications is November 2009.