PARENTS are hoping to turn public land into an adventure playground.
Newsome families are hoping to reclaim meadows and woods between Newsome Road and New Laithe Hill.
The site, which includes a skatepark and playing fields, is popular with dog walkers and skaters.
But parents are hoping to make it a place for children to meet and play.
They plan to form a ‘friends of...’ group to manage the site and organise family events on it.
The group, started by residents Alison Richards and Valerie Kolat, hopes to combat the current ‘blame and claim’ culture, where parents sue for trivial injuries to their children.
It is part a new generation of play areas opening in Kirklees which will take youngsters back to the kind of play enjoyed by their mums, dads and grandparents.
And it has the backing of Kirklees Young People’s Services, Newsome Sure Start and Newsome Playgroup.
Kirklees is one of 30 authorities which was last month given Play Pathfinder status, qualifying it for additional funding for new playgrounds.
Mum-of-two Mrs Richards said: “We need to talk about the benefits of children playing outdoors.
“People think it’s safer for children to stay in and watch TV, but that’s not helping them to develop.”
Call Alison: 01484 512779 or email outtoplay@hotmail.co.uk.
