Snip 'n' slide - fun day launch at new park

10 June 2019 

Katie Angle (8), and little brother Isaac Wrench (6), two children from Tailyour Road, Plymouth had a bit of fun as they declared their new park officially open yesterday, Thursday 6 June, by snipping a ribbon with giant scissors before dashing in to play on the new equipment. 

The new £43,000 play park was renovated by Sovereign and Westward Housing Associations, with help from installers Earthwright. Designed in consultation with residents, the park boasts a twin swing, spinning dish roundabout, a climbing frame with slide, playnet and balance beams, as well as tactile play items designed especially for visually impaired children.

Sovereign also funded free icecreams, facepainting and a petting zoo for everyone at the opening to enjoy.

Katie, who was overjoyed to be picked to open the park officially, said: “I helped with the planting the other week too, I’ve been super-excited about the opening and I ran home from school as fast as I could today so I would get here first!”

Katie’s mum Emma, said: “We worked with Sovereign and Westward to tell them the kind of things we wanted to see in the park for our children. The old park was rundown and the whole area had to be shut for ages. My son is autistic and we come here every day, usually, so we’re really pleased it’s open again.”

Charlie Bowdidge, Community Engagement Officer for Sovereign, said “We wanted to make this family fun day special for everyone who lives in the area, and I think people have really got behind the project. Building communities and events around these kind of spaces is really important to Sovereign.”

Terry Leach, “We worked with our residents to make sure that we developed the play area with their needs in mind and I hope we’ll continue to work together on future projects in the area, as well as partnering closely with local schools.”

Sovereign offers residents who want to get involved with boosting their community spaces up to £9000 funding over three years for projects such as park improvements, reducing isolation and creating community events.