Play Area Brings Community Together

---

Children of Castledawson are delighted with their exciting new play area, as the community came together to celebrate the grand opening.

Lower Castledawson Community Association (LCCA) opened the play area on Friday 1st February, with people throughout the community eager to test out the new equipment. The day was a great success and even had a special guest appearance from Children in Need’s, Pudsey Bear, who were one of the funding providers.

The aim of the project was to provide a safe environment for children to play that would impact on their private and social lives, allowing them to integrate with other children, learn to share, increase confidence and respect for others, while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.

The play area caters for children ranging from 18 months to 12 years old and features a range of play equipment designed to promote health and well-being, including: Timber Swings, Inclusive Orbit, Springers, and a Little Hamlet ‘Giggleswick’ unit.

The play equipment provider, Playdale Playgrounds, were recommended to the LCCA by Supporting Communities NI (SCNI), whom Playdale have strong ties with through previous works.

Nick Moffett, the Cross Community Development Worker at LCCA, said: “Playdale was chosen as the contractor because LCCA had seen other work that they had completed and came highly recommended by other groups. The project has been successful and feedback from the parents in the area has been very positive. Not only is it good for the kids but also for single parents to get out and meet other people from the area.”

Robert Morrison, Playdale’s Area Manager, said: “This project was an excellent example of how the working relationship between Playdale and SCNI has assisted a community organisation to develop their outdoor space into a high-quality, safe and interactive play facility.”

---