Finch Woods Play Park in Halewood has opened to the public today – thanks to a huge team effort by Knowsley Council and its contractors Dunkil who have worked round the clock to repair and clean damaged equipment after it was vandalised last weekend.
Today, Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council joined local children and young people from New Hutte Nursery and Grace Church at the official opening, along with workers who have been repairing and cleaning up the park all week.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted that thanks to a lot of hard work and determination we have been able to get the park repaired and cleaned up so that we can open to the public today. Considering the damage that was done – less than a week ago – it’s been a huge task and I couldn’t be more grateful to the Council staff and our contractors who have been involved.
People have been on site every day working in incredibly hot conditions with many coming in on their days off to get this work done. The community have really rallied round too and it’s been great to see what can be achieved, in spite of what happened here.”
“Seeing the children’s faces today is priceless and I am so pleased the people who have worked so hard to make this happen are here too, to share this moment. I hope that over the coming weeks and months many more children and young people also come along to enjoy these wonderful new facilities.”
The new £178,000 play park is part of a wider investment of more than £1 million which is being ploughed into Finch Woods thanks for Section 106 developer contributions. The new facilities incorporate a separate junior and toddler play area connected via a sensory path and a range of equipment – suitable for ages 0-14 – including new swings, slides, climbing frames, accessible and inclusive equipment and sensory panels.
Final installation work on site was due to be completed this week before the equipment was vandalised last weekend creating thousands of pounds worth of damage. Every piece of equipment on site was spray painted and trees and safety surfacing damaged. Most of the work to repair the park has now been completed with some items still needing to be replaced in the coming weeks.
If anyone has any information about those responsible for the damage they are encourage to report this to Merseyside Police via 101 quoting crime reference 26000645447, via the Merseyside Police website or by direct message on Facebook and X @MerPolCC
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
If there is anything you would like to discuss in confidence with our Crime and Communities Team, please email Safer.Knowsley@knowsley.gov.uk