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28th May 2009
Officially opened
13th May 2009
by the Mayor of
Poole,
Councillor Charles Meachin
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Official Opening
Event
More than 300 local
people attended the official opening of the new play area, despite the
constant threat of rain.
Everyone was thrilled to
welcome - at their first function as Poole's new Mayor &
Mayoress - Councillor the Reverend and Mrs Charles Meachin who
were joined by a four-man search & rescue crew from the
Portland Coastguard in their helicopter (the Augusta
Westland 139) which landed at 4.00pm.
Photos were taken and the
Mayor led a round of three cheers in warm appreciation of the vital maritime Search and Rescue work
carried out by
HM Coastguard. The crew enjoyed free ice creams
before being waved off as they sped back to base at Portland.
The crew*
at our own helicopter with the Mayor & Mayoress and children
from Lilliput First School school council
* the helicopter crew:
Chief Pilot Mike Roughton, Co-Pilot Glenn Stacey, Winch
Operator Tony Campbell and Winchman Duncan Ayles. For
landing clearance they were ably supported by the Poole
Coastguard team based at the Quay.
More opening day pictures
Photos: Sue Sieger |
The
design
The
play area is designed for children of all ages (including those that
are children at heart), and features what must be the largest and most expensive
single
piece of play equipment in Poole - the 6m high Multi Activity Tower. The wooden unit boasts numerous play features
including three slides of different lengths, including a wave slide;
various elements are linked by monkey bars, two ravine bridges and
a long plank bridge. There's also a rope ladder, vertical scramble net, an arched
climber, fireman's poles and play panels - something to challenge
and excite all age groups.
Protection from the sun, wind or rain is provided by a large roof on the central tower which incorporates decks at various levels (the highest is 3m)
and a multi-directional viewing mirror - stand beneath it,
look up and you'll be able to see the surrounding area reflected in
4 mirrored panels.
A spinning 'cone climber'
by
Tayplay proved so popular at the play area in Heckford Park that we decided
to include one in the design for Whitecliff.
For younger users, a
specially commissioned helicopter features climbing, sliding and
role-play, and reflects the character of Whitecliff as host to the
air ambulance landing area.
A large space for sand play has also been installed with log edging to
retain the sand; inside are mini sand diggers, a role-play boat for toddlers and a 'Kids
Circus' from Huck Nets of Bridport.
The only piece of equipment
re-used in the new design was the popular 'buddy swing'
by Hags Play installed in
2007.
New tarmac entrances and a
footpath have been created. Self-closing gates, seats, picnic
tables, litter bins and cycle racks have been installed.
The project
The play area closed in
December 2008 as a result of vandalism to the rubber surfacing which
made it unsafe. Work started on the removal of old equipment
in January 2009. The main play area opened on 9th April, in
time for Easter, and proved an immediate success with users of all
ages. The sand play area was completed on 30th April, just in
time for the May Day Bank Holiday.
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The majority of play equipment
was made in Finland by
Lappset
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Installation by
Banyards,
who also created the new sand play area for us
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Rubber play surfacing by
DCM
Projects
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Installation of gates & park
furniture by
Continental Landscapes
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Total budget: £220,000
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Funding: Planning Obligations
(Parkstone Ward £200,000; Poole Town Ward £20,000))
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Lead Officer Sarah Austin . 01202 261325 .
Email Sarah
The play area will be
inspected on a daily basis by our Grounds Maintenance
Contractors Continental Landscapes - as are all the play areas
in Poole.
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Click on images to enlarge them: |
