£240k play park joy for Hyndburn youngsters

5:24pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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By Emma Cruces »

THOUSANDS of teenagers will enjoy new Krypton Factor style adventure parks, following a lottery windfall of £240,000.

Exact locations for the two parks, which are expected to benefit 6,000 youngsters, have not been identified, but the money has been earmarked for the creation of one park in Accrington and one in Oswaldtwistle.

Teenagers will even be able to request what kind of equipment they would like to see in the new adventure parks, during consultations that will take place in both areas.

Hyndburn Council plans to build the parks within the next two years, after finding suitable locations. The council hope to complete the first park by 2008, and the second by 2009, after they were awarded the cash from the BIG Lottery Fund.

Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said the idea was inspired by the activities for teenagers available at Worden Park in Leyland. He added that the plan should increase teenagers' fitness and also reduce vandalism of younger children's play areas.

Coun Britcliffe said: "We are thrilled that we will be able to create challenging adventure areas for young people in Hyndburn. Thousands of young people will benefit from the activities and new play equipment that will allow them to enjoy the outdoors and challenge them physically.

"The new parks will give young people something to do and create a sense of respect for the park, which will also give them a greater respect for other play areas.

"We have really been on our toes in Hyndburn in managing to attract the money which will provide these facilities. I am really pleased we have been successful and that it is being spent in areas where there is a proven need for activities like these. No locations have been pinpointed as yet, but suitable sites will be looked at."

Coun Lynn Wilson, cabinet member for parks and open spaces said: "Hyndburn Council are delighted by the Big Lottery award for children's play in the borough - this will make a real difference to our provision for young people in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle."

The BIG programme has allocated £124 million to local authority areas across England to help improve or develop play equipment and activities for local young people.

Details of how to get involved in the consultations will be released by Hyndburn Council shortly.