Peel Park play area – ready for play time!

Work on the Bolton Road end play area in Peel Park is now complete, after local families rallied around and called for it to be re-developed back in 2018.

The new play area offers children a physically challenging experience inspired by nature with large stone rocks to climb, a grassy mound to run up and rope bridges to balance on. It’s a site that encourages the use of a child’s imagination whilst developing essential physical skills.

The development of the play area has been funded through JU:MP, the Sport England local delivery pilot in Bradford and designed by local families with the Friends of Peel Park group, Bradford Council and JU:MP.

Jane Lees is vice-president of The Friends of Peel Park who led the charge to keep the play area 2 years ago:

“We are really excited that JU:MP have been able to fund the creation of a fantastic natural play area at the Bolton Road end of Peel Park. We had a major battle on our hands to ensure that children had a high quality play experience available to them and want to thank the 600 people that signed our petition to save the site in 2018.

“Having secured the play area for the future we are very happy with this new natural play area that gives young children the challenge of climbing natural materials that fit in with our aim to make Peel Park a great place for children to play.”

The development of the play area is instrumental in attracting local families to the park to be more active and enjoy being outside.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said:

“We really need to invest in our children to ensure they have the play spaces they deserve in order to grow and develop.

“The development of this play space in Peel Park offers families a great place for the local community to visit, fit for the twenty first century.

“Play is not only important in tackling issues around obesity and ensuring children have a happy and healthy childhood. It is also an important part of their development in terms of dexterity, balance and muscle control as well as building relationships with other people.”

JU:MP Community Engagement Manager, Caroline Swain, champions outdoor play:

“Outdoor play is vital for children to build resilience, develop physical skills, form links with nature and most of all have fun.

“JU:MP values the right for children to play, and have clean, appropriate, safe places to do this. This new play area provides local children with the opportunity to be outside in a place where they can explore and enjoy the natural surroundings.”

It’s all part of a wider plan to provide quality space for children to be active and play through the JU:MP programme.