Pontefract Orchard Head Play Area
The completion of this project has seen the development of a new play area at Orchard Head Playing Fields. There was a play area on this site for many years however more recently in 2006 the remaining items of play equipment were removed following the annual play area inspection that was carried out on behalf of Wakefield Council.
Following this a number of local residents contacted the Local Council to ask if there were plans to replace the play area, as a result this project was responding to a need that was highlighted by the local community. Orchard Head was a strategically important site for the Local Authority due to a shortage of play areas in Pontefract and a play area at Orchard Head will cater for a large number of children in the local area.
The project included the installation of a variety of pieces of play equipment (both traditional and more innovative) that is suitable for children of all ages along and will cater for the main play movements of swinging, climbing, sliding and rocking. The final design incorporated elements of natural play as well as taking into consideration the natural landscape, with a slide being built into the side of a large mound in the centre of the site.
The completion of the project has seen the creation of a fully functional and accessible play area for a variety of ages on a site which lacked any type of play provision. It has provided a much needed facility and a focal point for the local community.
