New play area will beat vandals!

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Wednesday 24th Nov 2004.

Vandal-proof play equipment and specialised toys for children with special needs will be developed in a village to improve facilities for youngsters.

A Cottingley "masterplan" has been drawn up by Bradford Council officials to provide state-of-the-art facilities for youngsters on the village's recreation ground off Manor Road. The project is being developed thanks to a £35,000 grant from developers building a housing complex in the village.

The play scheme, which will cover a large area of the extensive recreation ground, will include swings, ladders, roundabouts and other traditional equipment. It will replace an existing smaller play area.

Interactive equipment will also be introduced. It can "communicate" with youngsters, telling them words and phrases.

The project is being developed following calls from residents and Cottingley Community Association who have become increasingly concerned about levels of vandalism and the lack of facilities in the village.

The play area will be enclosed by vehicle-resistant fences and have a soft surface.

Ian Day, Bradford Council's principal technical and development officer, said although preliminary plans had been drawn up it was hoped pupils at primary schools in the area could be asked what equipment they would like to have.

"We met with Cottingley Community Association to see how we could develop the recreation ground over the next 12 to 18 months," he said.

"These are options which are feasible and possible in that kind of time frame.

"It will be a complete refurbishment which is what people have been asking for for a long time. We are looking at metal equipment so there is little opportunity for it to be vandalised and we are also trying to erect key items of equipment for children with special needs."

He said work could be started early next year.

Councillor Simon Cooke (Con, Bingley Rural) said the play area would be a positive improvement to the village.

He said plans for seating around the perimeter of the fence would attract parents to sit and enjoy the facilities with their children in safety.

It is hoped the area will be mainly used by younger children with most teenagers using the skate park and multi-use games area being built near Cannons Health Club in the village. Work on these facilities should be finished this month.

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