CHILDREN living on The Boulevards a 220 home development on the former RAF site at St George's Road in Harrogate are being invited to a party after school on Friday, 13 May to celebrate the official opening of their new play areas.

 

Staff in the council's leisure section of the Department of Community Services decided that these play areas should be opened with more than just a ribbon cutting although there will be that as well. so there will be face painting, badge making, games and the usual party food of cakes and drinks. 

 

Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Amenity Services, who will formally declare the play areas open, said: "We know that these children have been very patient.  We had to have these play areas in place and fully visible before any houses were sold, so that no-one got a shock to suddenly find a playground next to their house.  So that has meant these little ones have seen the play areas behind locked gates and couldn't understand why they couldn't get in.

 

"The reasons were because we have to take their safety very seriously. This is quite a big housing development and until very recently there was still too much building activity going on around the play areas.  However, we have worked very closely with Redrow to see as quick a hand over as possible.  I am pleased to say that we are now confident that all the safety aspects have been covered and the council was happy to take over responsibility for the playgrounds last week.  So it is all systems go for a swinging party on the 13^th."  ENDS

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS: As part of planning conditions, Redrow had to provide two playgrounds on the development which will now be managed and operated by the council. 

 

Over £2.5m has been provided since the council introduced a scheme some 12 years ago requiring housing developers to contribute to the cost of new recreation areas and to improving existing public open spaces

 

Redrow have also provided a piece of sculpture The Family Tree by Ailsa Magnus.  Ailsa's brief was to enhance the landscaped space at the entrance to the development.  This sculpture is part of Redrow's commitment to local art and is an example of the many ways in which the company strives to contribute to the communities in which it builds.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:  Councillor Jones is available for comment on 01423 872466.  Further technical information from Mr Patrick Kilburn, Head of Parks and Open Spaces on 01423 556704.