Brackley play area provides meeting place for families
Children from Bracken Leas Primary School in Northampton were among the first to enjoy the new £60,000 adventure play area in the National Trust owned Brackley Park.
The new play area was officially opened by the town’s Mayor, Councillor Kevin Dixon and has transformed a tired area into an adventure playground for children up to 10 years old. Sutcliffe Play, the UK’s leading playground equipment designer and manufacturer, designed the area to meet the ‘deed of wishes’ from the donor of the land.
On donating the land to the National Trust in 1928, the donor had a vision “To ensure The Park being preserved as an open space for the use of the public for ever. A recreation playground for young children. In this connection I believe the Mothers on occasions take their tea there and old people go and rest when the weather is kind.”
Toby Knight, Area Sales Manager from Sutcliffe Play says: “Whilst our client was Brackley Town Council, the site for the play area (Brackley Park) is leased from the National Trust and so we designed the area to be as sympathetic to the National Trust’s play policy as possible. The colour of the equipment was toned down to fit into the Park’s surroundings.”
Mrs Sue Crouch Town Clerk says; “The play areas were worn out and unsafe since the Town Council could no longer obtain the parts for the original equipment. We wanted to create an exciting and secure area where parents and grandparents could bring their children to play. Sutcliffe Play has created a play area which we know will be enjoyed by Brackley residents for a long time to come.”
The design of the play area, which includes a Multiplay unit, a spring seesaw and a trampoline was chosen after a public consultation in the Town Hall. Three companies were invited to display proposals and after a public vote the Sutcliffe Play design was selected.
Four year old Charlie Bishop says: “I love it here, I’ve been here everyday since it opened. My favourite bit is the roundabout (inclusive dish roundabout). Me and my friends can make it go really fast!”
Charlie’s mother, Clare comments: “The play area is a fantastic addition to the town, I don’t think it has been empty since it opened! I have a four year old which the play area is perfect for but the older children love it too, especially the trampoline, play unit and swings which I’ve never seen go so high!” “The picnic benches make it a great place for me to meet other mums after school and at weekends whilst keeping an eye on the kids!”
Brackley Town Councillor Kath Bonner-Dunham Chairman of Direct Responsibilities and General Purposes Committee comments; “This has been a very exciting programme and one that I have personally enjoyed. It was definitely worth spending the time consulting with Sutcliffe Play in order to get the right mix of equipment for the children and taking into consideration their comments during the consultation period. The play area will now be open in time for the school holidays and should prove to be a great experience for the younger children of Brackley, and a good meeting place for mums for some considerable years.”
The play area is the first phase of a £135,000 project, funded by Brackley Town Council which will further improve play facilities across Brackley.
Learn more about Sutcliffe Play visit: www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk