News Two play areas get makeovers in Maidstone
The Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) Parks and Open Spaces Team have just completed the refurbishment of two play areas in Arundel Street and Camden Street in Maidstone.
All the old equipment was removed in both areas and new facilities were installed, designed to get young adventurers moving and exploring.
In Arundel Street a new toddler multi play unit for children aged two to six years features a slide, crawling ramp, inclined net crossing and step rung. There is also a low mounted revolving swirling seat which is accessible for able and disabled children. A cradle swing has also been provided for younger children to experience the swinging sensation at a very young age.
For older children, aged six to 12 years a junior multi play unit features a slide, fireman's pole, two ladder rungs, 'V' bridge crossing, wave traversing net and a vertical climbing wall. Along with a pirouette spinner, swings and a mini standing carousel which allows children to spin round and round while holding tight onto the bar.
Three game panels will help develop concentration, fine motor skills and problem solving, Tic-tac-toe, a shop panel and three in a row. A Labyrinth Game where youngsters tilt the drum to move the ball through the labyrinth also encourages children of any ability to engage their brains in a challenging game.
Andrew Williams, Parks and Open Spaces Manager at MBC said:
"Both of these new play areas provide lots of great new equipment for children of all ages to enjoy. They promote activity and movement and we hope will be well used. They encourage physical development and allow children to enhance their fine and gross motor skills through graduated challenges.“The play areas are designed to provide stimulation, encourage role and fantasy play, support turn-taking and encourage language communication for children of all ages and abilities.”
At Camden Street children of all ages can enjoy a variety of new equipment including new high swings with flat and cradle swing seats, a swirl whirl revolving seat, a three-metre-long embankment slide with a climbing net to develop children's strength and balance, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and problem solving skills while they play. In addition there are three play panels of Tic-tac-toe, Shop panel and three in a row.
Funding for both projects was from MBC capital funding to Improve Play Areas, ‘Capital Play - Continued Improvements to Play Areas’ budget.