New play equipment – designed with adults in mind

2 February 2010

Designed to keep adults active and healthy, the air walker is free to use and is already attracting attention. Its installation comes less than a year after the District Council secured £200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to create new play areas both in Bakewell and Ashbourne, and invested a further £170,000 into the projects.
Bakewell district councillor Carol Walker, who already keeps fit as a walk leader for Derbyshire Dales’ successful free health walks, gave the air walker the thumbs up after giving it a try. “There’s no excuse now for adults not to indulge in a little exercise along with their children and grandchildren when visiting the play area,” she said. “I think the new equipment is great.”
Also pictured with Councillor Mrs Walker enjoying Bakewell park’s state-of-the-art adult air walker are regular visitor Greg Kurcewicz and his daughter Sylvie. Said Greg: “We often come to Bakewell just for the park. I think the recent renovation is excellent and this new piece of equipment will allow adults to enjoy themselves at the same time as their youngsters.”

Chairman of the District Council’s Community and Environment Committee, Councillor Mrs Janet Goodison said: “I think the air walkers are a tremendous idea. We listened to what residents and especially young people said was needed in our towns and this new equipment enhances an already exciting and challenging play area.

“Leisure continues to be one of Derbyshire Dales District Council’s top priorities, and we are proud of the Dales’ reputation as one of the healthiest places to live in the UK.”