Darwen playground revamp after long campaign

9:28am Wednesday 6th August 2008

Comments (3)   Have your say »

By Catherine Pye »

A ‘DECREPIT’ Darwen children’s playground is to receive a £50,000 makeover after years of campaigning paid off.

The playground in Eccleshill, near the community garden, has four swings, a see-saw and a climbing frame which have there for decades.

Over the years, the late Darwen councillor Fred Slater, local residents and now East Rural councillor Julie Slater have been pushing for funding to modernise it.

A feasibility study was carried out and the money has now been awarded from the Play Pathfinders fund.

Coun Slater said: “It’s been a mess for a number of years. It’s so decrepit and other playgrounds in other areas have been done up three or four times in the same time.

“Now we can put in modern equipment for children of all ages. I’m absolutely buzzing about it.

“Rural areas are always at the back of the queue. Now that the leisure centre has shut the children have nowhere to go.”

Irene Guy, 80, of Eccleshill Gardens, has been campaign-ing for years to get the park regenerated.

She said: “Fred and I fought for a long time for this. I wanted to get something for the children because they have nothing.

“It’s wonderful. I’m so proud. I just hope the children appreciate it, but I think they will. A lot will use it, and we need to make sure that we get something for older children.”

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture and play champion said: "A play pathfinder group for the Darwen and rural area has been set up and the area at Eccleshill Gardens identified as a site that could benefit from further development.

“There is potentially up to £50,000 funding to carry out this work.

“We are now in talks with local people to make sure we get it right for them and their children.

“This consultation should be complete by early autumn and then we can get on with plans for the area."