Ahoy there! Family fun as pirate-themed play area opens

Denehurst Park is set to host a family open day as work on the new state-of-the-art children’s play area is completed.

Kicking off with an Easter egg hunt, the free event - sponsored by Groundworks, RAFC and H Bell & Sons - will take place on Saturday 6 April, 10am-12pm with a jam-packed programme of activity for all the family.

More than a dozen stalls will showcase community and conservation projects – including nature crafts, reading sessions and sporting activities.

Rochelle, the mum in Rochdale Borough Council’s Healthy Heroes family, and Hercules the Hornet, Rochdale Hornets’ rugby league mascot, will lead an exercise warm-up ahead of the Easter egg hunt where children can walk away with golden rugby balls as well as chocolate surprises.

Thrill seekers can set their quickest time on an assault course, run by Militarycation, or battle it out on the Rochdale Hornets rugby league circuit.

 

 

NatureEd and Living Well will be helping children to learn more about the local bugs and beasties through craft activities and sensory nature walks.

Themed storytelling hosted by the Bookstart bear and Rochdale Council’s Spotland library will take place at 11am.

Rochdale Borough Council’s recycling and fostering teams will be on hand to answer questions, and provide information and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will also be in attendance throughout the day.

Street food and drink stalls will showcase culinary offerings from Quirky Catering amongst others.

Councillor Neil Emmott, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “The new inclusive play area is the icing on the cake of this ambitious transformation project. The open day will be the ideal opportunity for local residents to come to the park and see all of the regeneration work that’s taken place over the last three years. It’s great to see so many local companies getting involved and donating their time to make it such a fantastic event.”

Work on the new play area began in January after a successful grant bid by Rochdale Borough Council and the Friends of Denehurst Park. The £98,048 grant from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through the Landfill Communities Fund was matched by the council and enabled the park to be transformed into the borough’s first inclusive play park.

Gareth Williams, Operations Manager for Viridor Credits said “The project that the Friends of Denehurst Park have been able to complete is a true testament to community spirit. The new play area is a great addition to the park and we’re certain it will be welcomed and used by all.”

 

 

Suitable for children of all ages, the new play area includes traditional equipment such as slides, a roundabout and jungle gym adapted to including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The new equipment has been chosen specifically to encourage imaginative social play and help children to develop sensory and motor skills.

Anyone interested in volunteering in the park or joining the friends group can find out more on their free web site provided by Rochdale Online:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/friends-of-denehurst-park