A NEW £65,000 play area in a Mansfield Woodhouse park is to be officially opened on Friday.
The new play area in Manor Park was jointly funded by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) and Mansfield District Council, which contributed £30,000 and £35,000 respectively.
The scheme comprises a new toddler play area with safety surfacing, buddy swings and various multi-play units.
When Manor Park was first opened around 25 years ago there were three play areas around the park. Over the years however, due to wear and tear and vandalism, the play area was reduced to one small area which was hidden away and subject to anti-social behaviour.
It was also poorly equipped and was becoming outdated and in need of replacing.
Work to construct the new play area began in late February and was completed within two weeks.
Since opening to the public it has been very well used and is popular with young families locally.
“I am thrilled to see the new play area on Manor Park,” said Coun Joyce Bosnjak, local county councillor for the area.
“District councillor Katrina Atherton and I have worked hard to bring this about as the old one desperately needed replacing.
“The new one is a welcome addition to Manor Park and I hope it will provide many happy hours of enjoyment for the children who will use it. I’m told that on some of the warmer days we’ve enjoyed recently that the place has been heaving.”
Coun Phil Shields, Mansfield District Council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “The new play area at Manor Park was jointly funded by Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council as the existing equipment was old and expensive to maintain.
“We carried out extensive consultation with residents and park users last summer to identify the best location for the new play area and decide what equipment to include.
“The new family-friendly facilities are just what the park needed and will provide children with many happy hours of free enjoyment.”