The final pieces of equipment have now been installed to complete the new play area at South Oak Lane.
Children and parents gathered in the glorious sunshine on Thursday, 29th September, to celebrate completion of the new playground at the Pleasure which is proving a big hit with local families.
The first stage of the project started at the end of February, which included the installation of a basket swing, a rope climbing net, a supernova, a springy and a pirouette spinner. This equipment was funded by Playbuilder at a cost £23,000. The existing slide and swings were also given a facelift and new swing seats installed.
The second stage of works, funded by a £15,000 grant from Waste Recycling Environment Network (WREN), took place in May this year when a climbing frame with slide was installed for the younger children along with a balance trail.
The final few pieces of equipment have been added over the last couple of weeks including a Bloqx climbing block, new monkey bars and the old basketball board has been replaced.
A competition was held for local schoolchildren to design a new logo for Pleasure Park and the winning design by Angelica Rangayah is featured on the new sign at the play area. (click next photo above to view the logo design)
Several local companies, including Harpers Auto Centre, Albert Slack's Funeral Directors and Friends of Wilmslow Parish, contributed money to enable the project to be completed, which was used to provide the benches and picnic tables complete with plaques.
Local resident Jonathan Cundall, who represents Friends of the Pleasure and has been the driving force behind this project, said "Finally the site is complete. It has been a long project, almost 2 years in fact, but we are very pleased to say that all the new equipment is in.
"The group and representatives of Cheshire East Council spent considerable time consulting with the local children and neighbours to come up with the most suitable design for the site and the most popular pieces of equipment. This included designing the layout to reduce the incidents of antisocial behaviour which occasionally affected the site.
"Overall the site appears to be very well used and greatly appreciated by the local community."
Jonathan added "We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those parties who have been involved in the project including: Marianne Hodgkinson, Guy Kilminster and Mark Wheelton at Cheshire East Council, Norman Bellfield the installation contractor, Richard Smith from WREN for the funding and Harpers Auto Centre, Friends of Wilmslow Parish and Albert Slack's for their kind donations towards the scheme.
"Finally thanks to all the neighbours, children and parents who have helped along the way."
Photo: Local children celebrate completion of the new playground with (l-r) Ruth McNulty Vice-Chair of Wilmslow Town Council, father of three Jonathan Cundall from Friends of the Pleasure and Marianne Hodgkinson from Cheshire East Council.
