Pupils have designs on a new family play area
Schoolchildren from Seaburn Dene Primary School have helped inspire plans for a new play area with some creative ideas.
Rainbow swings and a lighthouse slides are just some of the ideas that are shaping plans for a brand new play park which will be installed at Cut Throat Dene early next year.
Sunderland City Council challenged pupils at the school to come up with original ideas that would create a stand-out play area for families to use which will be located close to Martino’s Restaurant on Dykelands Road.
The standout design was a 3D model, created by brother and sister Sophia, aged nine, and Henry Nixon, aged four, which featured a zip wire, a netted climbing area and a lighthouse slide that would provide sea views from the top.
The Nixons, who are from Seaburn, were chosen as the overall winners of the competition, which suggested by Dynamic City Cabinet Member at Sunderland City Council, Councillor Rebecca Atkinson who praised the efforts of the children involved.
Cllr Atkinson commented: “We’re a listening council, and what better way of creating an engaging, exciting play park for our young people than to involve them in its design?
“We had some incredible entries, which I think show the creativity and skill of our young people, and there were so many merits to all of the ideas that we’re keen to explore how we can feed them all into our final plans for the park.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the plans realised.
"The effort the young people have gone to is absolutely remarkable. We saw model ships and lots of nautical designs inspiring the designs which is a lovely way to celebrate our city by the sea.”
The headteacher of Seaburn Dene Primary School, John Howe, has discussed the importance of children getting a say in the future of their local community.
Mr Howe added: "All the children demonstrated incredible creativity and imagination.
"It's so important that they have a say in the future of our community and by producing some amazing designs they are doing just that, not only now but for future generations."