Darwen play area gets a new lease of life

Refurbished playground encourages active play

Children will now be able to play in a revamped park after the Bold Venture Park play area was unveiled yesterday.

The renovation was completed by Wicksteed Playscapes on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

The £16k project, funded by Darwen Town Council and Section 106 money specifically set aside from developers for play grounds and other public amenities has seen new play equipment to replace some of the existing apparatus and refurbishments.

The park has in previous years been affected by spates of vandalism.

New equipment includes a new birds nest swing and an intricate Rotaweb climbing frame.

Cllr Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment, said:

This park is really well used so it’s great that we’ve been able to update the facilities.

We know from feedback that the local community are pleased with their new play area and we hope it will continue to be a fantastic asset for the community for many years to come.

Harry Duxbury, Chair of the Friends of Bold Venture Park, said:

This is great news for the park, we are delighted that the playground has been refurbished and repairs made to some of the play equipment with some brand new pieces being installed. We would like to thank the Town Council and the Council for making this happen. We would like to ask parents to supervise children when using the park to help prevent any damage and ensure the facilities can continue to be enjoyed in the future

Cllr Brian Taylor, Assistant Executive member for Health and Social Care added:

The park is huge asset to the town and I welcome the funding so that we can continue to promote the wellbeing of our children and encourage them to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

The new equipment will provide hours of free, healthy fun for children of all ages for many years to come.

Graham Lees, contract manager for Wicksteed Playscapes who carried out the works, added:

It is a great reminder – in these difficult times – of what can be achieved with excellent partnerships.