Ellesmere’s new play area to be officially opened

Ellesmere’s new play area at The Mere is officially being opened on Saturday 18 June 2011 and everybody is invited to come along and have a play on the new equipment. 

The event will start at 11.30am where speeches will be provided from all involved in the project. 

The play area, which cost £103,000, was funded through Shropshire Council’s Playbuilder programme, The Big Lottery, Aiming High and Shropshire’s Youth Opportunity Fund, as well as Shropshire Council’s Every Child a Talker programme. 

Dorothy Jones, play development officer for Shropshire Council, said:

“This play area is right in the centre of a growing community that is full of children and young people wanting something challenging to do.  The previous play area was in need of refurbishment, and with the funding available we have been able to create a versatile play area which caters for all ages and abilities. 

“It is brilliant to see we have provided a great facility that not only gives young people the confidence to play imaginatively, but it encourages all ages to play together improving the social and physical capabilities of these children.  The new play area which boasts equipment such as a pod swing, climbing tower, agility trail, waltz and bike track has extended the age range of this area, as well as improving the under eights and toddler area to include sand play, imaginative play and picnic tables.”

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere Urban, said:

“The children and young people of Ellesmere have been requesting some exciting play equipment at The Mere for many years.  Young people from Area51 skategroup, which meets on a Friday evening at the market hall, have been involved with the design and construction of the bike track, and the local community were involved in the consultation process.  It’s great to see the involvement of the local community and that the community of Ellesmere and visitors to The Mere have a brilliant and challenging place to play, walk, take in nature, sail and relax.  I have been approached by so many people locally and from further away who have been delighted with the new play area.”

 Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“This new play area will make such a difference to the community.  The Mere is always full of families and visitors walking or playing, which is just brilliant to see.  The play area and old tennis court site have really benefited from having such a makeover and now the families have somewhere to stop and play, and the dedicated team of staff at The Mere will ensure the improvements at the play area are well looked after for the advantage of all. 

“The Mere is one of 24 play areas created with Playbuilder funding and is a testament to what we have achieved throughout the county with the Playbuilder programme.  The new play area that has been created is a testament to the type of children’s play that Shropshire Council is striving to encourage.  The area compliments the natural environment but is challenging at the same time.  The children and young people and adults that are using the area love it, and it is fantastic to be able to support local communities in projects such as this.” 

The play area was designed by Pleydell Smithyman Landscape Architects of Ironbridge and installed by DW Shotton Landscapes of Ditton Priors near Bridgnorth. 

Local young person Niale Dubicki is to thank for the agility trail as he applied to Shropshire’s Youth Opportunity Fund in 2008 for the money to purchase the trail, but has had to wait until the refurbishment of the play area to see the equipment to be installed. 

The flower mosaic artwork for the Every Child a Talker project was designed and created by The Project Group Oswestry with the help of the Ellesmere Ducklings Pre-school Ellesmere. It interprets what the children drew thinking of what lives in and around The Mere, so look closely and you will see birds, ducklings, crocodiles, insects, flowers and monsters.  It’s hoped that the mosaic will encourage conversation between very young children and their parents or carers. 

The Mere is managed Shropshire Council’s outdoor recreation services, who will continue to improve facilities throughout the future. 

For further information on this project please contact Dorothy Jones on 01743 255914 or email dorothy.jones@shropshire.gov.uk .