CHILDREN have helped design a new playground on a Huddersfield housing estate.
The finished project, on the Walpole estate at Crosland Moor, has been built as a series of climbable terraces on the side of a large grass and shrub banking. The space off Dryclough Road boasts a large communal basket swing, climbing equipment, a steep slide and a zip line.
Three striking flagpoles with decorative metal banners have now been put in place, putting the finishing touches to the site.
The play space and flagpole designs all involved ideas from local youngsters, who worked with artists during a number of creative consultation workshops over the last year, in conjunction with arts agency Loca.
Last March young people from Walpole took part in a series of play projects which led to ideas for the new play area.
Kirklees Council’s landscape architect then used some of their ideas to develop the design for the new play space.
A council spokesman said: “As well as the play equipment the young people were keen to have a landmark feature to mark the play space.
“Earlier this year the group worked with artists to help create design ideas for a series of three flagpoles with decorative metal banners.
“The flagpoles, which feature images of leaves and seeds of the plants that can be found on the Walpole site, have now been installed and beautifully finish off the play space.”
Amy Woodhead, Kirklees Council’s play programme manager, said: “The involvement of local young people in helping to design play spaces is a very important ingredient in the Play Pathfinder programme.
“The project at Walpole is a very good example of how young people can be meaningfully and creatively engaged to make sure their needs and ideas are the basis for high quality design and play provision.”
The new play area is part of the Council’s ‘Play Pathfinder’ programme funded through the Department for Children, Schools and Families which aims to improve and provide innovative and challenging play spaces for eight to 13 year olds across Kirklees.
The consultation and flagpole project in Walpole were managed by Loca, the Council’s arts and regeneration agency, which specialises in using creative methods to involve people in local issues and developments.
