News release: 22 August 2011
A newly re-developed play area was opened in Caesars Road, Wheathampstead on Saturday 20 August by the Deputy Mayor Cllr Geoff Harrison.
The site has been designed by Groundwork Hertfordshire, which ran a series of consultation sessions with local residents to create a facility that meets local needs. The new play area is designed to make the most of the existing landscape and natural surroundings with some areas of landscaping, trees and other planting. In response to requests from local young people, the equipment includes a zip-wire, a wooden climbing frame and a flat area to play informal sport and a fort. A network of paths through the site will allow access for all abilities and seating and bins are also included in the design. Existing equipment has been reused throughout the site, including a transformation of the much loved fire engine into a safari jeep.
The new play area was funded by St Albans City and District Council, the Department for Education, Hertfordshire County Council, and a kind donation from St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead and St Peter’s Church, Gustard Wood.
The new play area is the second to be delivered in the district under a Government funded scheme, ‘Playbuilder’, that was rolled out across the county.
Cllr Geoff Harrison, Deputy Mayor of St Albans City & District, said: “This is an excellent example of how local residents and people from a variety of organisations with a united aim can drive a project forward. Thanks to the local schools and steering group members who were instrumental in generating local support for this play area to be re-developed.”
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544 E-mail: Alison.orde@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Davina Mansell, Information and Communication Officer
Tel: 01727 819316. E-mail: davina.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans City and District Council
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Contact for Groundwork Hertfordshire
Graham Phillips
Landscape Services Manager
Groundwork Hertfordshire
Mill Green
Hatfield
AL9 5PE
E-mail: graham.phillips@groundwork.org.uk
Tel: 01707 255179
Notes
Groundwork Hertfordshire is an environmental charity that works alongside the community to transform places and lives. For more information visit the website: www.groundwork.org.uk/hertfordshire.
Playbuilder is a Capital programme introduced by the Department for Education to enable children to explore their natural environment while playing. The funding has ‘Design for Play’ principles that encourage local authorities to develop more challenging and exciting outdoor play for 8 to 13 year olds within their local communities.
Top photo caption left to right:
Peter Christmas, Development Manager at Groundwork Hertfordshire
Lindy Clay, Rodney Locks & Pippa Legg representatives from St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead and St Peter’s Church, Gustard Wood.
The Deputy Mayor of St Albans City & District, Cllr Geoff Harrison