Three new Dales play areas this summer

28 May 2010

The £60,000 project in Willow Way follows extensive consultations with local people – including pupils at the local primary school.

The District Council play area will be completed by the end of July in time for the school summer holidays – and follows a similar scheme in Highfield Road, Ashbourne, which began this month. By the end of the summer a third new play area will follow at Wirksworth’s Gorsey Bank.

Before work started on the three schemes, local children, parents, the local school and Darley Dale Town Council were consulted on the developments to make sure each was what local children wanted.

Chairman of Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Community & Environment Committee Councillor Mrs Janet Goodison welcomed the news. "The District Council has invested significantly in children’s play over many years, including two major developments in Ashbourne and Bakewell last year, and now these three new Playbuilder sites," she said.

"Local people – including, in this case, pupils at Darley Churchtown CE Primary School - have told us where play areas are needed and we are proud to provide new opportunities for young people in the Derbyshire Dales. Healthy and active lifestyles are among the District Council’s top priorities and it is no coincidence that the Derbvshire Dales is the healthiest place in Derbyshire."

In total, Derbyshire Dales District Council has secured £135,000 to develop three brand new play areas for local children this year. The three sites were selected following extensive public consultation as part of Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Children’s Play Strategy.

Councillor Tracy Critchlow, the County’s Cabinet Member for Young People and also a district councillor, said: "Derbyshire Playbuilder is a tremendous scheme which demonstrates our commitment to provide the county’s children with a healthy and active start in life.

"During the two year scheme it is planned to spend up to £1.3 million developing 23 new play areas across Derbyshire, meaning children in every district will feel the benefit of Playbuilder."

Darley Dale Town Council has also been working closely with the District Council to support the Willow Way play area. Said Mayor John Evans: "We are absolutely delighted with the decision to locate this play area in Darley Dale.  We were pleased with the way the District Council consulted all interested parties, especially the children who will be using the equipment.  I have no doubt that parents and children in the area will find this park a happy and well-used part of their daily lives."