Leisure Services has installed a new 'Treasure
Island' play
area in the open space at the top of Smuggler’s and Canford Cliffs Chines.
The Mayor of Poole,
Cllr Graham Wilson, led the celebrations at the official
opening on Thursday, 11th August.
The Mayor judged a
pirate fancy dress costume competition with some fine
pirates, fairies and even lions on display, before
embarking on his maiden voyage of the ship wreck,
accompanied by a hearty-looking crew! The Mayor even
felt compelled to re-enact the famous ‘Titanic’ scene
from the bow of the ship.
About 100 people
came along, making the official opening a great success
and putting all the new equipment to the test.
One of the pieces,
which is the first of its kind in a Borough of Poole
play area, is a combined toddler swing seat that allows
parents or older children to sit alongside the toddlers
in the cradle seats, as demonstrated by a collection of
pirates in the photo.
The new outdoor
fitness equipment was put to the test by young and old
alike and received very positive reviews whilst those
exercised worked up a thirst.
The play area is
one of the most heavily themed and innovative in the
Borough and fills a large gap in provision for play in
this part of Poole.
The
play equipment selection reflects suggestions made during initial
consultation with local resident groups who would like a
seaside or pirate theme, whilst also making use of the
surrounding woods as a natural play area.
The
themed design includes:
-
A bespoke timber pirates ship featuring a captain's
wheel, slide, mast, balance beams, scramble net,
rope walk and even a treasure chest!
-
A 'whirlwind' - a timber and rope spinning
experience
-
A rocking timber boat
-
Swings
-
A ‘springee’ dolphin
External funding further enhanced the project:
-
The Canford Cliffs Land Society
provided bespoke seating
-
Poole's Primary Care Trust (PCT)
funded the
inclusion of two 'Life Trail' outdoor fitness
equipment stations, giving visitors of all ages the
opportunity to indulge in stretching & balance
exercises whilst the children play [more
about PCT funded projects in Poole]
Tree
and scrub work was carried out in order to remove
some dense holly, dead pine trees and a sweet chestnut
tree.
The
name Treasure Island play area was
voted for by children of Lilliput First School.
Pupils were very excited by pictures of suggested play
equipment reflecting the theme of the seaside and
pirates, and a lengthy voting process was undertaken,
with all school classes voting (see graph, below).
"Treasure Island" came out top and will help to build
the sense of fun around the project.
The
project was also presented and approved at the Canford
Cliffs and Penn Hill Area Committee meeting on 26th
January 2011.
