£10m playgrounds revamp step closer
THE £10m revamp of Kirklees’ crumbling playgrounds is one step closer – and it includes a huge reduction in the number of play areas that have swings, slides and climbing frames.
While dozens of playgrounds at the borough’s bigger parks and green spaces will get long overdue facelifts, dozens more will have their play equipment removed forever.
Almost two years since Kirklees Council announced its modernisation plan, the identity of which playgrounds are set to be axed has finally been revealed.
At a meeting of the council’s ruling Cabinet on Tuesday, the borough wide plan to create three categories of play spaces was approved. It categorises playgrounds as either ‘Destination Park’, ‘Community Play Area’ or ‘Doorstep Playable Space’.
Officials have designated 137 playgrounds as Doorstep Playable Space, most of which only have one or two pieces of equipment.
They say a Doorstep Playable Space will have all its equipment removed and will be transformed into an open area to “encourage and facilitate informal play.”
The strategy means every community in Kirklees is set to lose at least two playgrounds.
The Ashbrow ward in Huddersfield looks set to lose the most – 13.
A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “These sites will have any play equipment removed and the sites will be re-landscaped into playable spaces which may include land forms, boulders, planting, and seating. These sites will remain public open space but will be designed in such a way as to encourage children and adults to use them.”
Kirklees revealed the plan in 2017 saying it had 342 playgrounds, more than Leeds and Bradford combined, with council officials saying they could not afford to maintain them all. Many have equipment that is more than 15-years-old and over the past two years an audit of play areas has seen any item that could be dangerous removed not repaired.
While the loss of so many playgrounds may upset some parents, Kirklees has said the remainder - some 107 - will be improved to new standards with all new equipment for a wider age range, incorporating natural features such as logs, mounds and boulders.
The so called Destination Parks will have the best equipment and skate/wheel parks. These are Greenhead Park, Ravensknowle Park, Fernside Park (Almondbury), Hyrstlands and Wilton Parks (Batley), Oakwell Hall, Beaumont Park, Earlsheaton Park, Rectory Park and Crow Nest Park (Dewsbury), Holroyd Park (Ravensthorpe), Norman Park (Birkby) and Royds Park (Liversedge).
Members of the public are now being asked for their views ahead of the final decision later this year.
Clr Naheed Mather, Cabinet member for Communities and Environment, said: “We want our children to have the best start in life and access to play spaces should be seen as part of this. Physical activity is an essential element of health and wellbeing and physical activity is one way to maintain a healthy weight, prevent long term conditions and enjoy good mental health. Our recommendations would give at least 90% of residentsaccess to at least one high quality equipped play area, offering play types and experiences, within 720m of their home.”
Mirfield Conservative, Clr Martyn Bolt, said the investment was welcome but he accused the council of leaving too many areas to rot.
The locations in Huddersfield and South Kirklees to lose playgrounds include: Almondbury – Canby Grove, Green Lea Court, Finthorpe Rec, Hanby Court and Croft Flat Drive; Ashbrow – Greave Close, Catherine Road, Robin Hood Road 1, Robin Hood Road 2, Oxley Road, Norfolk Avenue, Tenters Grove, Sylvan Ridge, Wood View, Shepherds Grove, Whitacre Close, Red Doles Lane and Lodge Farm. Colne Valley – Wellhouse, Broad Oak, Longlands Avenue, Gordon Street, Banks Road, Woods Avenue and Hard End Rec; Crosland Moor & Netherton and Thornton Lodge – Tom Lane, Hob Lane, Mason Court, Wellfield Close, Horse Bank Drive, Devonshire Street, Marten Drive and Elder Grove Mews. Dalton – Leeds Road Playing Fields, Springbank Crescent, Brownroyd Avenue 1, Brownroyd Avenue 2, Brownroyd Avenue 3, Robsons Drive, Arlington Way, Sunnyhill Avenue and Foxlow Avenue; Denby Dale – Baildon Way and Gardeners Walk. Upper Cumberworth – Bromley Park.
Golcar – Fortis Way, New Street, Kinder Avenue. Greenhead – Calton Street and Glebe Street ; Holme Valley North – Honley Park and Heys Doorstep Green; Holme Valley South – Luke Lane, Nethertong Village and The Oval; Kirkburton – Manordale Close, Birkhead Close, Grenoside View and Jos Lane; Lindley – College Avenue, Cornet Close, Hubert Street, Haywood Avenue and Hawes Avenue.
Also, Mirfield – Northway Gardens A, Northway Gardens B, Kiln Avenue, Ings Grove Park and Huddleston Court ; Newsome – Colne Street, Primrose Hill, Manor Rise, Hall Cross Road and Back Victoria Street.