Children celebrate as play area is rescued from vandalism and decline

A run-down and vandalised play area has been rescued by South Norfolk Council.

And thanks to its £34,000 improvement, the play area has now been awarded three star status by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and can also be used by children with disabilities.

The new-look Appletree Lane play area at Roydon has been officially reopened by 25 local children - along with their parents and carers.

Many of the children played an active part in the council's consultation to help decide how the area should be improved.

It now has swings, a slide, a multi-unit for climbing, swinging and rocking, a pod swing, and a children's shelter where the youngest can sit inside and talk, while the older ones grapple with the climbing wall on the roof.

It also boasts a rodeo board on springs and a new surface which is 'fire smart' and meets strict impact safety standards.

Roydon District Councillor David Goldson joined the children and families at the opening and was delighted by what he saw. He said:

"This is an excellent project, and as a governor of Roydon Primary School, I am always immensely impressed by the sheer enthusiasm of the children in Roydon and their good behaviour.

"Both of these were very obvious at the ceremony with the children eager to cut the tape and have fun on the excellent activity equipment in the play area.

"The sensory garden designed and planted by the Council's Countryside Rangers is lovely, and as it grows, it will be a pleasant spot for both children and their parents to spend quiet moments.

"I think this is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by carefully directed funding and, above all, by the hard work and dedication of the officers of South Norfolk Council.

"If the enjoyment and excitement of the children shown yesterday is anything to go by, the Appletree Lane Play Area will be a valuable asset for Roydon for years to come."

Also at the opening were Proludic, the play manufacturing company and RoSPA. Their three star award means it has met tough criteria and includes sensory items and high safety standards without reducing the natural risk in play.

This is the first to include a sensory garden, designed and constructed by the Countryside Rangers and Volunteers.

Meeting tough disability criteria also means this is a play area for all children. One young wheelchair user attended the official opening and played happily alongside her friends.

Before work started, the play area was under used and a hangout for teenagers to gather for smoking and drinking.

At a RoSPA inspection in 2007, it failed on many counts, especially safety and lack of access or adequate equipment and facilities for children with disabilities.

The refurbishment has also been value for money. A newly-installed play area would cost over £60,000. This refurbishment also means the play area will be good for another 10 to 15 years. It is part of a comprehensive series of upgrades for play sites across the district.

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