Pre-school tots plump for magical new look play area at Pounds House

Something magical has appeared in a corner of one of Plymouth’s most popular parks.

Magic toadstools made out of recycled rubber have sprung up together with a mythical climbing frame complete with a elf slide for little ‘uns. Children are being encouraged to get lost in an enchanted maze and talk to flowers that answer back!

The magic-themed equipment has been installed in the grounds of Pounds House and replaces existing play facilities which had become tired and outdated.

Toddlers and children will be able to climb, swing and jump around equipment all designed to get pulses racing and imaginations going.

Other features include:

• Dinosaur stepping stones
• Zodiac ladder
• A double zig-zag twister
• Cradle swings
• Big swings for older children
• A spinning bowl
• Picnic tables
• Roly poly and topsy turvy mirrors
• A make it rain (!) play panel

The new play area, which is all covered with a safety surface made from recycled tyres, has been created and installed by play design firm, Wicksteed Playscape.

Plymouth City Council’s park services have landscaped the area and planted three new tress to encourage wildlife such as birds also become visitors.

The play park cost £30,000 and has been made possible through a Section 106 agreement which the Council received from a development in nearby Springhill Gardens.

Section 106 agreements, which are also known as planning obligations, play an important part of the planning process and developers are expected to commit financially to projects to balance the impact of their development.

Councillor Michael Leaves, Cabinet Member for Community Services, (Street Scene, Waste and Sustainability) said: "We want our children to enjoy being outdoors and to use their imagination and this is a great new play area. I’m also pleased to see that a legal agreement between Plymouth City Council and developers leads to something so lovely for children to enjoy.”

To help the day go off in style, children from the Nutkins Pre-school on Peverell Park Road will be testing the equipment.

The official opening will take place on Thursday 9 June at 12.30pm.

2 June 2011