We’re delighted to have helped with the revamp of the Sale West junior playground which is now open for children and parents on the estate to enjoy.
The new playground has been installed following calls from the community for better facilities for young people. Our Sale West - the Big Local lottery-funded community group - led and funded the development of the playground with support from the other funding partners, including Veolia Environmental Trust, One Trafford Partnership – a collaboration between Trafford Council and Amey - and our Irwell Valley Foundation.
A project group of Sale West residents helped to design the space, ensuring it reflected what the local community wanted. Attractions include a new nest swing, climbing frame, slides, swings and the zip line – all chosen to allow for creative and dynamic play.
Mum-of-two Rebecca Bryan said her daughters Maisie, eight, and Esme, six, are delighted to have the new playground near to their home on Hurst Avenue.
She said: “The girls absolutely love it – especially the zip wire!
“They’ve done a fantastic job and we’re certainly spending a lot of time there over the six-week summer holiday.”
Rebecca, who has restricted mobility linked to a condition called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) which causes problems with her back and her legs, added: “The beauty of the new park is it’s so close by - I can head over there easily in my wheelchair and just watch them play.
“When they’re happy, I’m happy. With the new picnic tables installed too, we can take some food and spend a few hours there. It’s great!”
Work was carried out in April and May and the park re-opened in June ahead of the official ribbon cutting event, which also included the unveiling of a new chainsaw sculpture.
Freda Eyden Co-chair of Our Sale West Big Local, said: “The junior playground is something the community has seen as a priority since we started in 2015.
“We are so pleased that everything has come together and we have such a great facility in the heart of the estate. It has been a pleasure seeing so many families using the new park.”
Ceris Esplen, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Irwell Valley Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see children enjoying the new junior playground on Sale West, and we’re delighted to have contributed towards it through our Irwell Valley Foundation.
“The playground complements the work we’re doing on Sale West as part of our multi-million pound regeneration programme. Along with building much-needed new homes for social rent, we’re investing in improving existing homes with new roofs and kitchens. Meanwhile improvements to the estate include creating six other new play areas for local children to enjoy; planting trees and creating homes for wildlife; and resurfacing car parks, ginnels and walkways.
“We’re working with residents to build on the strong community which already exists in Sale West, and deliver a legacy which benefits people now - as well as future generations like Maisie and Esme.”
Councillor Stephen Adshead, Executive Member for Environmental Services at Trafford Council, said: “We are really pleased that Veolia Environmental Trust, together with Irwell Valley Homes and Our Sale West, recognised the value in the Sale West play area and the importance of green space to the community.”
A spokesperson for Veolia added: “We were really pleased to award a grant of £51,191 through the Landfill Communities Fund to help provide new play equipment for children and young people in Sale. It’s great to see this fun, creative outdoor space making such a difference to the local community.”
For media enquiries please contact Sarah Walker, Communications and Marketing Manager, Irwell Valley Homes: sarah.walker@irwellvalley.co.uk / 07780 925106.
(from left) Clare Standish, Project Development Manager Our Sale West; Rebecca Bryan; Ralph Rudden, Chair Our Sale West; Esme Hill; Maisie Hill; Jason Hill; Louisa Kelly, Community Investment Officer, Irwell Valley Homes.