Families will soon be able to enjoy more fun attractions at Bowring Park as work gets underway on new play areas.
A delegation of local councillors and ‘Friends of’ Bowring Park joined the Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods Cllr Shelley Powell and Oneday Ltd Director Matt Bell to officially start the improvements which will bring new toddler and children’s play areas to Bowring Park.
The new play scheme will be delivered in two stages. The first phase will see the creation of a toddler play space which will feature a range of inclusive play equipment.
This will include a multi-climb unit with grab ropes and a drag ramp to support children’s upper body strength, swing set with an inclusive swing seat, springers with support and a small spinning dish which supports children to use the equipment independently.
The second phase is the installation of children’s play equipment which will replace the play space removed as part of the heritage landscaping works.
The improvements are being funded by £70,000 of investment funding from Knowsley Council, developer contribution of £20,000 and £50,000 from Valencia Communities Fund via the Landfill Communities Fund secured in partnership with the Friends of Bowring Park.
Knowsley Council’s Green Spaces team will launch a consultation later this month, inviting local children to give their views on the types of equipment proposed for the children’s play space and help shape the improvement plan to be shared with the wider community.
Once the children’s play improvement plan has been approved by the wider community and partners the new equipment will be installed in early 2023.
The new play area is the latest exciting development at Bowring Park, now operated by managing agents Oneday Ltd, following the arrival of a new food and drink offer, operated Root.
The park will also host a number of Borough of Culture events including United by Land – a weekend of creative engagement led by artist James Brunt on 24 and 25 September (10am – 4pm). For further information www.cultureknowsley.co.uk
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “We’re delighted to be working with partners and volunteers to create these new play areas at Bowring Park, which are a great addition to the fabulous renovation works already happening at the park. The installation of these new, inclusive play areas will be a popular attraction for local families – and yet another reason to visit our great, green spaces in Knowsley.”
Matt Bell, Director of Managing Agent, Oneday Ltd said: “This is a really exciting time for Bowring Park and Golf Course, as this is a key part of the improvements being made in the coming weeks and months. We look forward to welcoming more local families to the park to enjoy the new playground and facilities. This is just the beginning of the investment we are making as we bring together the private, public and the third sectors to make Bowring Park a great destination for all residents.”
Gareth Williams, Operations Manager at Valencia Communities Fund, said: “We were delighted to contribute to the new play areas in Bowring Park, a scheme that invests in the mental and physical wellbeing of the local community. We look forward to seeing the latest improvements to this important green space”.