Words & video: Katherine Turner
Photos: Andy Denison
Sunday, 9 June saw Western Flatts Cliff Park’s new playground open in a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung.
The new playground has been something that the community, Friends group and local councillors have been campaigning for many years after the old playground became run down.
In 2021 a petition was signed by more than 1,000 people demanding improvements. The petition, alongside hard work from the Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park group and Farnley & Wortley councillors enabled the new playground to be built. The majority of money needed came from Section 106 funds from the developers of the new housing estate at the former Wortley High School Site.
Families were invited to join the celebrations by bringing a picnic, although the weather was not kind. Also on the day there were stalls from the Friends Group, local bowling club, ice-cream van, refreshments, police van to greet local children and a raffle to win some fantastic prizes.
Friends chairman Neil Bonnington said: “It’s been a long journey but it’s great to see the time has arrived for our wonderful new play area in the park.”
Neil wanted to thank everyone who has been involved. “Local councillors past and present, Leeds City Council parks department and members of the FoWFCP committee, in particular Richard Stringer as our project lead,” he added.
Since it was opened the community has welcomed lots of new visitors to the park, with the playground busy every day, which shows how much these new facilities were needed.
The Lord Mayor told WLD: “It was wonderful to officially open the new playground to the public. The playground will provide many benefits to the neighbourhood and I hope that families from around the area will enjoy exploring and playing on the new equipment for many years to come.”
The Friends Group would like to continue to help make improvements at the park. If you can help in anyway please find the crowdfunding page here or for more information you can email chairman@fowfcp.org.
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