12/04/2007   D3/07   Downland

New play area opens at Thistledown Gardens

A new play area at Thistledown Gardens in Emsworth has proved to be a big hit with local youngsters.

The new play area, which was completed in time for the Easter holiday break, was officially opened this week by Mandy Ward, Chair of Thistledown Gardens Residents’ Association and member of the Chichester Regional Consultative Panel.

Residents and representatives of Downland Housing Association joined in the celebration. As well as enjoying the new play equipment, youngsters were also entertained by a magician and received refreshments and goody bags.

The new play area is made entirely out of wood and provides fun in the form of balancing beams, monkey bars, climbing birds, balancing ropes and a basketball hoop.

Funded by the Chichester Regional Consultative Panel’s Environmental Improvements Budget, the play area is the result of much hard work and effort by the residents’ association. The group, supported by Downland, has held a number of fundraising events over the past three years and have a bank account dedicated to the play area appeal.

Hannah Best, Tenant Participation Officer, for Downland said: “The residents’ association have worked really hard to get this project off the ground and it is wonderful to see the new play area complete and the big smiles on the children’s faces.”

Mandy Ward, who cut the tape to mark the play area as officially open, added: “We’re extremely grateful to the Chichester Regional Consultative Panel, who provided £5000 towards the new play area. We’re sure the new facility will bring many hours of delight to the youngsters who use it.”

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