It is five years since I blogged about Charles Wicksteed and his aim to provide playgrounds for all. We have a good playground in the village, and our grandchildren love going there.Here 8s George 18 months ago, in the Swanton Morley Playground, enjoying the swing with his Mum, and the zip wire with his Dad.
There is a good variety of equipment, for all ages - from toddler swings through to the zipwire and the large climbing frame.
One Parish Councillor has responsibility for making sure everything is well maintained, and ROSPA do regular checks. During the pandemic a 'Pirate Ship'' was added. A very simple construction with a semi circular rigid sail. Some thoughtless soul recently vandalised this, snapping the sail in half.
The company wanted hundreds of ££ to replace it [that's just the sail!] Fortunately my favourite Parish Councillor was able to organise a replacement at 10% of that figure. Bob found a company which would print the design onto the correct material, then he cut it to shape in his Lathe Palace, and we went down to put it in place last week.
Once inside, there is a second RADAR lock which releases the mechanism for the swing. The inner gate opens, the chair is pushed onto the platform and secured, then the gate is shut.
The well balanced mechanism makes it very easy for one, or two, carers to push the swing back and forth.
The nearest park to us is well provided with both adult fitness equipment and three fenced off areas containing play equipment.
ReplyDeleteI think the age designated areas are really sensible. We have the adult equipment by the village hall, so it is quite separate from the children's area
DeleteWe have two really lovely parks with playgrounds near us. Sadly none have the brilliant wheelchair friendly swing, what a good idea that is.
ReplyDeleteThe larger of the parks has three separate play areas for children. A toddler safe one, one for slightly older children and an area with exercise machines and a rope slide and tall monkey bars for the oldest ones. They also have an undercover area for the local teenagers to hang out in that is well used ... and yes occasionally vandalised by them. They don't seem to realise that they are damaging their own areas.
This all sounds good - I'd not come across a teenagers' space before!
DeleteUnfortunately, there aren't any playgrounds within walking distance from my house, but, there are a few playgrounds that are located a few minutes by car. I used to take my daughter to one of them when she was a child.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that children don't get the added exercise of a walk in the fresh air if they have to travel by car.
DeleteThat swing is a lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteI wish the louts that destroy things would remember what it felt like to be a child and enjoy playing on equipment.
We used to love the King George park in Brentwood when we visited my grandparents.
The accessible swing is a great idea! Kx
There are some great parks/playgrounds in the Greater London/Essex area. Cousin Gillian and I visited so many as children (and later with our own youngsters)
DeleteThe swing is a great idea, and nice to see the photo of it being used. It also seems well protected. Well done Rosie sending your message on playgrounds. Good that Bob helped repair the vandalism. Love Isabel
ReplyDeleteI did ask the carers if I could take the picture, and from behind so the person in the chair remains anonymous! Thanks Isabel 👍
DeleteThat sounds wonderful, the swing for wheelchair users.
ReplyDeletePlaygrounds are wonderful. We have many in our area and have visited them many times with the grandchildren, now I enjoy going by them :-)))
Many greetings to you. Viola
Taking the grandchildren is such a joy, isn't it!
DeleteHow clever of Bob to create a replacement sail at a fraction of the price. I love the idea of a special swing for wheelchair users. I'm sure it brings a lot of joy to youngsters who are not mobile.
ReplyDeleteI think the new swing will prove very popular
DeleteMy Oma (grandmother) used to fill her mini countryman with sll of us grandchildren and take us to nearby Wicksteed Park in Northants for the day in the Summer when we stayed with her. I was fascinated that the steps on the slides at home all had Wicksteed on them.
ReplyDeleteThose steps meant the Wicksteed name was known across the country
ReplyDelete