Excited children get first use of Melton’s new £100K play park

Families gathered with local dignitaries in The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Play Close park to watch local MP, Alicia Kearns, cut a ribbon.

That was the signal for youngsters to charge towards the new equipment, eager to be first to play on the climbing frames, roundabouts and the zip wire.

The £100,000 play park came about after a concerted campaign by parents of children who were bored and unexcited by the tired and ageing pieces which have been in the park for more than the last half-century.

Melton Mowbray Town Estate collaborated with the borough council and Melton BID to plan a major overhaul of the area and it got the go-ahead thanks to funding from FCC Communities Foundation and the Romaney Fugill Memorial Fund.

Families were overjoyed by the new facility as children got to grips with the impressive new equipment, which caters for youngsters aged up to 15 including those with mobility issues or learning difficulties.

As her two young children excitedly played on the equipment, Cat Shephard, one of the parents who campaigned for the new play park, told the Melton Times: “It’s fantastic - it’s amazing.

“This is just what we need in the town, especially now the summer holidays have started.

“I think we’ve got more for our money than we expected.”

Sarah Snith, another of the campaigners and mother of a seven-year-old and a three-year-old, said: “It’s brilliant - we’re absolutely thrilled with it.

“My kids are getting in amongst it and they will be absolutely delighted with the equipment they’ve put in.”

Abbey Sutcliffe, whose children are aged two and four, has only recently moved to Melton with her husband from Essex.

She said: “One of the reasons we moved here was because of this lovely park in the middle of the town.

“There was a play park like this where we used to live so it is great for the kids to have one here as well.”

Benjamin Roberts, an autistic pupil at the town’s Birch Wood Vale Area Special School, was having a great time trying out the new equipment.

His mum, Sarah, said: “We didn’t tell him about the play park beforehand because we thought it would be a nice surprise.

“It’s the safety aspect which is the worry with a lot of play parks but this one is very inclusive and Benjamin is really enjoying it.”

MP Mrs Kearns said her two-year-old son would be using the play park and she believes it will bring families from other areas into the town.

She said: “I’m just so delighted to see this happen in Melton.

“I can’t begin to count how many children are here today for the opening and they have all got smiles on their faces.

“When I first became an MP in December I got three emails straight away asking for a new play park in the town, particularly an inclusive one.

“We live in such a beautiful area and I feel it is so important that there are parks like this for the children to enjoy.”

John Southerington, of the town estate, which maintains the town centre park, is delighted that the facility is now in use.

He said: “This vital facility is going to make a real difference to those who use it, as well as the wider community of Melton Mowbray.

“We are extremely grateful to FCC Communities Foundation for providing funding as we would not have been able to go ahead without its support.”

FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business which awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Cheryl Raynor, its local grant manager, said: “It’s great to see the play area once again looking great and being used by the local community, the enhancements are fantastic and I’m sure will offer fun for many years to come.

“FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and this is a great example of what can be achieved.”