More than 10,000 participants benefit from Christchurch play program
A year after the Christchurch play programme was launched in earnest, figures show that play sessions run by the Play Rangers so far have attracted 10,128 participants.
Christchurch Council received £200,000 from the Big Lottery to fund a portfolio of two projects – new play facilities at Waterman’s Park and two Play Rangers to run play sessions for Christchurch children.
Although the portfolio started in February 2008 when the Waterman’s Park facilities were designed, the Play Rangers did not come on board until the summer of 2008 and the PlayDay in August 2008 was their first play session.
Since then they have organised regular play sessions at a number of venues throughout the Borough with great success. The six-week summer play sessions which have just finished attracted nearly 2,000 youngsters happy to have something physical to do over the holidays.
Senior Play Ranger at Christchurch Council, Jonathan Hibbert, said: “The success of these sessions shows what appetite Christchurch children have for getting outside and doing something which is fun but which also keeps them fit.
“We have to cater for children of all ages, which can be a bit of a challenge sometimes, but the fact that lots of them come back time and time again must mean that we’re doing something right. And the parents love the fact that all of the sessions are free of charge!”
Each week of the summer sessions had a different theme, for example jungle week or beach week, and the activities were organised around that theme. The sessions were also moved to different locations on different days of the week giving children from all over the Borough the chance to take part.
The Play Rangers will continue doing after-school sessions throughout the winter months.
A year after the Christchurch play programme was launched in earnest, figures show that play sessions run by the Play Rangers so far have attracted 10,128 participants.
Christchurch Council received £200,000 from the Big Lottery to fund a portfolio of two projects – new play facilities at Waterman’s Park and two Play Rangers to run play sessions for Christchurch children.
Although the portfolio started in February 2008 when the Waterman’s Park facilities were designed, the Play Rangers did not come on board until the summer of 2008 and the PlayDay in August 2008 was their first play session.
Since then they have organised regular play sessions at a number of venues throughout the Borough with great success. The six-
“We have to cater for children of all ages, which can be a bit of a challenge sometimes, but the fact that lots of them come back time and time again must mean that we’re doing something right. And the parents love the fact that all of the sessions are free of charge!”
Each week of the summer sessions had a different theme, for example jungle week or beach week, and the activities were organised around that theme. The sessions were also moved to different locations on different days of the week giving children from all over the Borough the chance to take part.
The Play Rangers will continue doing after-
Highcliffe residents asked to choose new play facilities
Residents of Highcliffe, Christchurch are being asked to choose between two designs for a new play facility to be built on Highcliffe Recreation Ground.
Officers and councillors from Christchurch Council will be on hand to display the two options for the High5 project at the Pavilion on the Recreation Ground on Wednesday 16 September between 10am and 1pm and again on Thursday 17 September between 4pm and 7pm.
The two final designs have come about following a consultation with children and young people from Highcliffe St. Mark’s Primary School, Highcliffe Secondary School and users of the site. Chartered Landscape Architects, The Landscape Practice interpreted the young people’s requirements and produced the two possible designs for the site.
Residents of Highcliffe, Christchurch are being asked to choose between two designs for a new play facility to be built on Highcliffe Recreation Ground.
Officers and councillors from Christchurch Council will be on hand to display the two options for the High5 project at the Pavilion on the Recreation Ground on Wednesday 16 September between 10am and 1pm and again on Thursday 17 September between 4pm and 7pm.
The two final designs have come about following a consultation with children and young people from Highcliffe St. Mark’s Primary School, Highcliffe Secondary School and users of the site. Chartered Landscape Architects, The Landscape Practice interpreted the young people’s requirements and produced the two possible designs for the site.
Design 1 comprises an aerial cableway, an overhead rotator, a climbing zone, a trim trail, a ball court and a shelter. This design has perimeter fencing and links with the existing play area via a footpath, and mounding.
Design 2 comprises an aerial cableway, a single point swing, a climbing rock, an overhead rotator, a Dutch disc, a ball court and a shelter, as well picnic tables, seating and litter bins. There would be no perimeter fencing for this option.
