Play park ‘too dangerous’ for young children – claim, Teesdale Mercury

FAMILIES in a Teesdale village say a £45,000 play park is too dangerous for young children to use.

Wesley Terrace Play Area, at Middleton-in-Teesdale, was given a makeover following a £45,000 grant.

The new equipment, which was erected by the charity Groundwork, includes stone boulders for youngsters to clamber over.

But parents and grandparents in the village say they are worried about younger children falling off.

They are also concerned about a slide that was placed on a bank, which has begun to erode.

Resident Alan Thompson said: “People with small children will not take their kids into the playground because the boulders are a danger. 

“Groundwork says playgrounds need a risk element, but for little children going down the slide is enough. You don’t need it placed on a slippery bank which they have to climb first.”

Mr Thompson is also angry that Groundwork was given £5,000 from the £45,000 grant for management fees.

He said a survey was carried by UTASS, asking village children what they wanted.

“The survey was then completely ignored by Groundwork and the next thing we know is the playground has been transformed by a load of boulders and a dirty great big slide on the bank,” Mr Thompson said.

“Where on earth has our £45,000 gone? Most of the money seems to have been spent on Tarmac and rocks.”

The original playground had swings, slide and a teapot roundabout. 

But Middleton’s parish chairman, John Cronin, said the opportunity of getting a £45,000 revamp couldn’t be missed.

“We were worried about it being spent elsewhere,” he said.

Cllr Cronin added that the parish council had little input in how the money was spent.

He said: “The children were asked what they wanted and Groundwork tried to fulfil their wishlist, but they didn’t get everything they wanted because of space restrictions.”

He said the revamp was designed for children aged eight and over.

“Groundwork’s thinking was that there needs to be a certain amount of risk. 

“There has been some concern and disquiet from parents with young children about the boulders and steps to the slide” Cllr Cronin said. However, he said children who use the site are happy with the equipment.

“At the end of the day, Groundwork designed it and they’re the 

experts,” he added.

The wooden steps to the slide have now been removed to make it safer.

The parish chairman added: “My own grandchild, who is 19 months old, loves it and always makes a beeline to the bank. The play park is getting far more use than it did before.

“But there’ll be a safety inspection and if there are any problems, they’ll be addressed.”

The parish council said it will look at the possibility of extending the site and applying for funding so play equipment for younger children can be installed.