Child’s play has exciting times ahead
Dec 26 2007 by Dave Black, The Journal
THOUSANDS of youngsters in parts of Northumberland can look forward to more exciting play opportunities thanks to a £200,000 lottery-funded investment aimed at boosting children’s fun.
Council chiefs in Wansbeck have secured the major cash injection from the Big Lottery Fund, which will be used to pay for a major revival of outdoor play for local children.
As part of its ongoing play strategy, the district council will spend the windfall on appointing a five-strong team of play rangers to work in town and country parks and play spaces throughout Wansbeck.
From April, the rangers will have the task of organising everything from traditional games – such as hop-scotch and skipping – to modern, innovative and inter-active play activities to be enjoyed by children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.
The Big Lottery Fund has set aside £67.5m to improve quality play provision across the country, from Northumberland to Cornwall.
The programme aims to help ease parents’ growing fears of allowing their children out to play, as well as keeping youngsters fit and active at a time of increasing concerns about childhood obesity.
Wansbeck Council will use its £200,000 slice of the cake to employ the play rangers, who will work across the district creating safe, inclusive and exciting play environments. Their appointment will coincide with the completion of work to upgrade all of Wansbeck’s 39 play sites to nationally recognised standards.
The roving rangers will work at specific times in certain parks and play areas, but will also turn up at others on an ad-hoc basis to organise play sessions, games and fun activities.
Coun Ken Parry, Wansbeck’s cabinet member for leisure said: “By next Spring we will have exciting, modern play equipment and facilities right across the district, plus a team of play professionals helping children from all our communities discover the value of play and the benefits this can bring in terms of their health and well-being.”
