CHILDREN across York are to benefit from new play facilities after parks officials revealed plans for more than £1 million of improvements.
The city has been allocated £1.1 million from the Government’s Playbuilder scheme to upgrade play-parks or build new ones.
City of York Council now says it plans to spend the money on 22 parks, 11 in each of the next two years.
A final decision will be made in June, but officials have drawn up a list of where they want to spend the money.
Map showing where the first money will be spent>>
If their plans are approved, children will first see the benefit in 2009/10, at Keble Park in Bishopthorpe; Brecksfield in Skelton; Naburn village hall; Elvington sports field; Mancroft in Haxby, Back Park in Balfour Street, Holgate; Orchard Park in Huntington; Copmanthorpe recreation ground; Viking Road in Acomb; Ashton Avenue in Clifton; and Badger Hill.
Each of these parks will get £47,000 of improvements. The following year, £53,000 will be spent on a further 11 parks, in Garnett Terrace in Holgate; Monk/Heworth Stray; Chesneys Field in Westfield; Byland Avenue in Bell Farm; Barfield Road in Heworth; Sowerby Road in Holgate; Strensall; Derwent; Woodthorpe; Westfields and the city centre.
The parks will be aimed at eight to 13-year-olds, and must be open-access, outdoor play spaces close to where children live.
The guidelines from Playbuilder say they should be “safe, exciting and stimulating” and should “promote active, imaginative and adventurous play”.
Children, families and community representatives will be consulted on what equipment should be installed.
In an email to all councillors, Dave Meigh, City of York Council’s head of parks, said: “Two months ago, we asked for suggestions for suitable sites for new play areas to be built, or the names of existing ones, which would benefit from improvement or development. We received a very positive response with nominations coming in from a wide range of sources.”
“Due to the conditions of the grant, and the selection criteria, not all sites suggested can be accommodated. After taking all factors into account, the steering group has come up with a provisional list of sites.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel