New Play Area In Gretton

8 April 2011, 10:53 | Updated: 8 April 2011, 10:55

Youngsters in Gretton will be thrown back in time as they explore their very own brand new Jurassic Play Area.

Youngsters in Gretton will be thrown back in time as they explore their very own brand new Jurassic Play Area.

The exciting play area will be officially launched today at 2.45pm (Friday 8th April) by Corby Borough Council’s Mayor, Cllr Ann Brown, who will be cutting a ribbon and opening the play area on the Gretton Recreation Ground, Kirby Road, for all to enjoy.

The Jurassic Play Area is the result of partnership working between, the Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground, Corby Borough Council, residents and the local school who looked at how current facilities at the recreation ground could be improved. The partnership noticed that there was a shortage of play facilities for 8-13 year olds and asked youngsters to help design a new play area that would cater for this age group.

The play area celebrates the prehistoric Jurassic period, as Gretton sits on the Jurassic ridge and is also part of the long distance Jurassic Way public footpath which runs through Northamptonshire. The facility will keep youngsters busy for hours with a BMX track, spinners, swings, tyre swings, jungle climber, Dino multi activity unit and an Ariel runway.

The new facility has been funded by WREN Environmental Ltd, the national Playbuilder programme and Section 106 funding from the adjoining housing development, to a total of £84,000.

Corby Borough Council’s Rural Pride Officer, Suzanne Preston, said: "The play area is a fantastic achievement by the Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground, who’ve worked extremely hard to make it a reality. The village youngsters and local school provided some brilliant designs and ideas which really fired the imagination, hence the Jurassic prehistoric theme. Gretton now has a high quality play facility which will benefit the local community for years to come."