Denehurst Park to benefit from borough’s first inclusive play area

Denehurst Park

Plans for a new state-of-the-art children’s play area at Denehurst Park are in full swing after a £98,048 grant from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Rochdale Borough Council and Friends of Denehurst Park are celebrating a successful bid that will transform the current play area into the borough’s first inclusive play park. The work, due to begin this month, has been match funded by the council and will include traditional equipment such as slides, a roundabout and jungle gym adapted to make it suitable for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. 

The pirate theme playground, to be completed by spring 2019, will be built next to the current play area location and will include a sectioned off area for toddlers and relaxed seating areas.

Friends of Denehurst Park and the council consulted with local primary schools and MENCAP, as well as Redwood School who have been heavily involved in the park regeneration, especially the play equipment provision. This new equipment has been chosen specifically to encourage imaginative social play and help children to develop sensory and motor skills.

The park is halfway through a major council investment that has seen the installation of new footpaths, improved drainage, an orchard containing scores of apple, pear, plum and cherry trees and a wildflower meadow.

Councillor Neil Emmott, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “We’re fortunate to have a number of beautiful parks in the borough, with ten having the coveted green flag status. The ambitious improvement programme has totally transformed Denehurst Park over the last two years and there’s more yet to come. This new play area heralds a new era for the park and shows our commitment to the renovation of the area.”

Gareth Williams, Operations Manager at Viridor Credits, said “Investment in our green spaces is an essential component in a communities’ wellbeing. The Viridor Credits Board was impressed by the community input into the project and were pleased to award a substantial grant to the Friends group.”