Play area in Burnley park given sonic makeover

The new-look Riverside play area in Towneley Park includes a state-of-the-art interactive sonic arch that offers a range of interactive games and is one of only six of its kind in the whole country.

It also features equipment specifically adapted for disabled users, including a wheelchair swing, additional sand and water play items and refurbished musical equipment.

While being a firm favourite with local families the play area required some improvements and so Burnley Council, along with the Friends of Towneley, worked on re-designing the playground.

The scheme was funded by the council, together with grants from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, the Friends group and Burnley Rotary Club. The improvement work was carried out by the council’s greenspaces staff.

Chairman of the Friends of Towneley, Maureen Frankland, said: “Towneley is such a popular park and it’s important that children of all abilities should have the opportunity to play. We’re all very grateful to the Lancashire Environmental Fund for the generous grant of £30,000 towards the cost of the improvements.”

Improvements have also been carried out on Whittlefield recreation ground including providing new play equipment for young children, replacing rubber safety surfacing and providing new seating. Further work has been carried out nearby including resurfacing footpaths and installing handrails to steps, the planting of 100 trees by volunteers and the creation of a wildflower meadow.

The work was funded by a £40,000 grant from Gannow Big Local, together with money from the council’s play area improvement programme.

Both projects were part of the council’s 10-year play strategy to improve play facilities across the borough.

Coun. Ivor Emo, the council’s executive member for housing and leisure, said: “It’s great to see investment in our play areas which provide such a wonderful community asset for local families. Both these projects are great examples of the council working with partners to attract external funding for the benefit of our residents.”