Press Release July 08 2010

Work on two groundbreaking Ribble Valley adventure play areas is nearing completion.

The Salthill Play Area in Tower Hill, Clitheroe, opens for use on Friday, July 16, after a £57,980 refurbishment spearheaded by the Tower Hill Youth Action Group and funded by Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council.

A £125,000 scheme at Calderstones Park, Whalley, spearheaded by the Friends of Whalley Moor Woodland and funded by the Lottery, Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council, is also due for completion this summer.

The Salthill site features a trendsetting "trim trail" aimed at adults and children featuring a series of keep-fit equipment along a 265-metre tree-lined path, including overhead bars, balance beams, up-and-over-bars and a sit-up frame.

There is also a children's play area at the site featuring state-of-the-art hydraulic equipment, including squeeze poles, climbing ropes and a "wooden fort."

The scheme, which was spearheaded by community volunteer Mel Diack and the Tower Hill Youth Action Group, received funding from Lancashire County Council's Playbuilders Scheme and Ribble Valley Borough Council, which will manage and maintain the site

Ribble Valley Borough Council will also manage and maintain the Whalley Moor Woodland Play Area in woodland near the Calderstones Park housing development.

The project, which was initiated by the Friends of Whalley Moor Woodland, features state-of-the-art timber equipment, including a climbing frame, seesaw and climbing net housed in a "Bedouin tent, " and can be accessed from three directions, namely Mitton Road, Turkey Lane and Fell View.

The two sites are part of a Ribble Valley Borough Council plan to develop play facilities in the borough and improve parks and open spaces, which also includes extensive footpath-restoration and landscaping at Brungerley Park, Clitheroe

Robert Thompson, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council's community committee, said: "The Salthill and Whalley Moor play areas, and Brungerley Park project, are the culmination of many years effort by community groups and the borough and county councils.

"They are superb sites that will be enjoyed by young and old alike for many years to come.

"The Tower Hill Youth Action Group, Friends of Whalley Moor Woodland and Friends of Brungerley Park can be proud of their sterling efforts in bringing these fantastic schemes to fruition."

Ends.

Ref: PR3510.

Date: July 8 2010.