National award for adventure playground
Published on 26th June 2012
A flagship adventure playground in Sandwell has been named runner-up in a national award scheme.
Sandwell Valley Adventure Playground came second out of more than 100 entries in the children's play category of the Street Design competition 2012.
Sandwell Council designed the playground after consulting with every primary school in the borough, along with other groups.
It is built to blend in with the surrounding countryside and is free to use.
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and families Councillor Bob Badham said: "We are proud the playground has received this prestigious award.
"I am happy to report it has been used by thousands of young people since it opened, which is the real test of success."
Councillor Linda Horton, cabinet member for leisure services, and Councillor Derek Rowley, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, congratulated staff from the council and partner organisations, including main contractor BJ Landscapes, on the award.
The playground was built using £250,000 from the Government's Play Pathfinder scheme and is mainly aimed at five to 13-year-olds.
It includes climbing nets, a rope bridge, an tower with slide and a double zip wire.
There are also swings, a dragon roundabout, a suspension bridge, a play tractor and trailer plus a picnic area and sandpit.
The playground is open daily from 7.30am to dusk.
Judges said the playground encouraged encouraged play throughout the whole of the year. They also noted it was well-designed, made use of natural materials and a good level of risk and challenge.
A full list of winners will be announced in August's edition of Local Government News.