The children's play area at The Carrs has reopened this week following a £75,000 revamp.
The work, which was carried out by Cheshire East Council over a 3 week period, was funded by S106 development money*.
The old equipment, much of which was nearly 20 years old, has been replaced with new equipment which has been designed to appeal to a broader age range. The new equipment includes a zip wire, basket swing, tornado overhead carousel, storm roundabout, swings, seesaw and balance trail as well as seating.
Speaking to parents and children at the park today, the overwhelming response to the new play area was very positive with everyone I spoke to saying it was a significant improvement.
Adam Broughton-Grant, father of two-year-old Maggie, said "I think it is a big improvement as it looked a bit worse for wear when we came two or three months ago. It is much better although there is not much for my daughter's age group. She cannot climb on a lot of the things."
Dave Kinsella said "Apparently it is like the park in Handforth which my eldest daughter has been going to and has been very popular. I think it's nice, the old park was suffering some wear and tear and the new equipment gives the kids some variety."
Bonnie, nanny to two year old Tatiana, commented "I love it. We came the other week and it was closed to see thought we would try it today. It's amazing, really really good."
What do you think of the new play area at The Carrs, share your views via the comment box below.
**Section 106 agreements are negotiated between developers and the Council and the money can used to help fund affordable housing, parks, roads etc.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
However, a recenty installed picnic bench has been trashed simply to be replaced by a new one leaving its base in the middle of the area, how much did this waste cost¿. Other good benches have also been replaced uneccessarily. There were two or three cherry trees that have been removed for no good reason, so now there is little shade either in the park or on the play equipment and none of the benches are in shade.
Using the old chip wood bases makes the park look like a bodge job. The base under the net swing always gets boggy in wet weather (its at the bottom of an incline) so will be unusable for most of the winter. The grounds have been let unfinished with aggregate on the surface where grashas been torn up.
The climbing frame and slides had a good few years left in them and the zip wire, big swings, roundabout and see saw was absolutely fine, however, all have been replaced. This money could have been invested in some really good kit.
The roundabout is great but requires three adults to operate slowly as it seems to have been fitted with a brake. The children call it a 'slow about'.
There is little to challenge older children who would most likely put weight on visiting this park. Compare this with Stockport's parks such as Bruntwood or Marple and you will see the difference.
The parents I spoke with seem mostly underwhelmed, one commented that he was expecting big improvements but that the park seemed the same. Another that there is not much for toddlers.
If the council had consulted with the parents who use this park for hours every week, they could have saved a lot by investing strategically, replacing worn out kit only and spending this much needed cash on higher quality more challenging kit. With the underused wooden park next door that I seem to remember cost £80,000 and £75,000 spent on this parents will be wondering where did the money go¿
This playground is fit for a small village not a town.