The opening of  the natural Play area
  
Building the playgroundThe opening of the natural play area in Northcliffe Park took place on Friday the 6th July 2012. After months of fund-raising efforts Friends of Northcliffe, supported by funding from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental), Playbuilder and the Aagrah Group, were pleased to see the playground for the local community officially opened on yet another typical wet 2012 day.

opening day

From the outset, the project has been a community effort. Bradford Council's Parks Technical Service and Children from Shipley C. of E. School were involved in the early consultations, and their ideas were incorporated into the final design. Thanks to their involvement, the play area has an exciting combination of equipment to suit all ages which includes, a playhouse, tunnel, jungle climber, trampoline, embankment slide, rope ramp a rustic log trail. Many of the original contributors have since moved on to secondary school, but the next generation of schoolchildren attended the opening ceremony which had to partially take place at the school because of the poor weather. A celebration cake donated by Friends of Northcliffe was cut at the school. Headteacher of Shipley C. of E., Mr Phil Travis, said: “We are very happy that this scheme has come to fruition and are proud of the fact that ideas suggested by our pupils have been used.”


playground open for business.

Mohammed Aslam, MD of the Aagrah Group of restaurants, was instrumental in the bid to raise money, and had worked with Friends of Northcliffe since the idea was pitched to him a year earlier. “ I saw the potential in this project for the children in the local community. I walk through Northcliffe every week, so I know how big a difference this facility will make. That’s why I was happy to support the `Friends of Northcliffe` efforts to secure the funding.” Unfortunately he was poorly on the opening day and could not attend the ceremony.

 Girl on a swing

WREN saw the potential in this scheme too, and provided a grant of £43,000 to complete the scheme. Peter Cox, Managing Director of WREN said: “WREN is committed to funding projects that make a real difference to local communities, children and families. The Northcliffe Park Play Area will provide a fantastic space for local children to get outdoors and have some fun. We’re delighted to support Friends of Northcliffe to make this happen.”
Local Councillors and Bradford Council Officers attended the ceremony, together with Ben Walker from WREN and local residents who use the park. Chair of “Friends of Northcliffe,” Steve Bruzzese, said: “It’s been a long struggle to raise the money we needed, but it’s all been worth it in the end. To see the playground taking shape over the last few weeks has been incredible, and we now have a great facility for children and their families to come and enjoy. Add that to the natural beauty of the adjoining woodland  and open meadows, and you have a space like no other in the Bradford area.”

girl on the tunnel