Children from Crook, in County Durham, celebrated this week after parent power – and a helping hand from Wicksteed Playscapes – brought them a brand new play area.
Local kids from the Thistleflat Road estate can now enjoy trendy new swings, slides in varying shapes and widths, colourful climbing frames and state of the art see-saws, all installed by Wicksteed Leisure, after a group of mums and dads teamed up to fight for a play area near their homes.
“When I come down here and look at what we’ve done I still can’t quite believe it,” said local mum-of-two Sharon Featherstone and chair of the Thistleflat Road Play Area Committee. “It’s a great achievement and I’m thrilled to bits it’s finally open. This is something which will benefit our community and something for us and our children to be proud of.”
Sharon took a year out from her job to campaign for the playground, which officially opened on October 20. While the local council was happy to put aside the money for the park, parents were left to plan and source facilities themselves – something Wicksteed was happy to help out with in terms of advice and support. Sharon’s husband, Brent, also a committee member, and children Ben and Ellie were behind her every step of the way.
“I was the direct contact for councillors, contractors, builders, surveyors and suppliers and my mobile phone bill went sky high!” says Sharon. “We carried out our own public consultation with the local school children to establish what they would like, made sure the area was wheelchair –friendly, and arranged a competition to design the park logo. At one point, it even looked like we might have to take on the public liability insurance ourselves!
She continues: “The support we’ve had along the way from Wicksteed has been great. It has been tough going but staff at the company were so friendly and there was always someone available to talk through our queries. The proposal they put together was bright and cheerful and we got a lot more equipment for our money. On top of this, they helped with the consultation and paid for goody bags, a bouncy castle and ice-creams for the grand opening day. Wicksteed have helped us achieve something really special.”
Stuart Wetherell, from Wicksteed, said: “We were delighted
to be involved with this dynamic group of mums in the design and
installation. They’ve worked really hard on the project and
we were only too pleased to help out with all the extras in order
to turn their dreams into reality. Interestingly, all the equipment
was chosen by the children, so we’re looking forward to
seeing them make use of this rather special play area on the grand
opening day and beyond.”
Further information about Wicksteed at www.wicksteed.co.uk
The Association of Play Industries Federation House Stoneleigh
Park Warwickshire CV8 2RF
T +44(0) 24 76 414999 ext 208
F +44(0) 24 76 414990
E api@api-play.org
Association of Play Industries (API) : Federation House : Stoneleigh
Park : Warwickshire : CV8 2RF
T +44(0) 24 76 414999 ext 208 : F +44(0) 24 76 414990
: E api@api-play.org W
www.api-play.org
