Kids have say on play
Liverpool youngsters will be having their say next week on what they want to see in 12 new play areas.
Special outdoor workshops are taking place throughout half term to encourage 8 – 13 year olds to get involved in fun activities to influence the design of the new playgrounds.
The sessions will encourage the children to talk about what equipment they would like to see in parks - such as swings and slides - and they will also be encouraged to think about other things they like to do outdoors, such as building dens, climbing trees or playing football.
More than £1m is being spent on 22 play areas across Liverpool, with the first dozen being completed by April 2010. By April 2011, 20 existing sites will be modernised and upgraded, and two brand new areas will be created in Rice Lane and Newsham Park.
Liverpool city council’s executive member for the environment, Councillor Berni Turner, said: “We carried out some initial consultation in August and had great feedback from residents, schools and local businesses who had their say on what they would like to see in the revamped play areas.
“It’s essential we find out what young people want to see in the play areas so that we can incorporate this in future designs.
“We want to do everything we can to encourage young people to get active in our local parks, giving them the chance to take part in regular exercise and interact with other children.
“Our aim is to create 22 modern, safe and appealing play areas using top quality facilities to make sure young people and their families enjoy spending time in our beautiful parks.”
Each workshop will take place at existing play facilities in the first 12 sites to benefit from the scheme. The dates and locations are:
Monday 26 October – Dovecot Park, 11am - 1pm
Monday 26 October – Doric Park, 2pm – 4pm
Monday 26 October – Longmoor Lane open space, 10am – 12pm
Monday 26 October – Walton Hall Park, 3pm – 5pm
Tuesday 27 October – Princes Park, 11am – 1pm
Tuesday 27 October – The Venny, Speke, 10am – 12pm
Tuesday 27 October – Banks Road open space, 3pm – 5pm
Wednesday 28 October – Crown Street open space, 11am – 1pm
Wednesday 28 October – Picton open space, 2pm – 4pm
Friday 30 October – Muirhead Avenue open space, 10am – 12pm
Friday 30 October – Calderstones Park, 11am – 1pm
Friday 30 October – Warbreck Moor open space, 2pm – 4pm
The funding is part of the government’s Playbuilder scheme which aims to improve children’s physical health and wellbeing, and Liverpool Active City.
The remaining schemes, which will be completed by 2011, are:
Newsham Park (brand new)
Rice Lane (brand new)
Croxteth Park
Sefton Park
Wavertree Botanic Park
Parkhill Public Open Space
Long Lane Recreation Ground
Northway
St. Martin’s Recreation Ground
Upper Hill Street
