Wheels are in motion to bring an exciting bespoke play area to Castleton, which will see bicycle-themed vibrant floor graphics and multiple play features for younger children.
Starting from the ground up, the bright, bold design of the rubber flooring will be awash with colour and include visual graphics such as the famous yellow jersey, and a large bike symbolic of the prestigious Tour De France bike race, plus a bee as a nod to the Greater Manchester's Bee Network and Greater Manchester bee motif.
Play equipment will include a sit-on crusader swing for 6 children, a multi-play unit with two slides, a seesaw, and an inclusive swing and roundabout for wheelchair users and accessible wider paths.
Other unique features include a custom-built inclusive totem pole sensory panel, funded by the council’s Rochdale South Township that features bell chimes – a sound engrained in the fabric of the famous cycle race.
The play area, situated on Manchester Road can be easily accessed on foot; by bike; by public transport, or by car, thanks to the bicycle lane, and nearby transport links. And if travelling from further afield, a new 80-space car park is available adjacent to the site, where people can take advantage of free unlimited parking.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader of the council, and portfolio holder for climate change and environment, said:
“It’s wonderful to see that we are expanding our play facilities across the borough and this one in particular is something a bit different.
“The range of facilities on offer is superb for our younger residents and I’m even more delighted that the play area can be reached easily through different modes of transport, including by bike, which is better still for our climate.”
The project delivered by Wicksteed Limited has been made possible thanks to council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) funding, and forms part of the council’s wider £4.4 million regeneration of the area.
Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“It’s great to see this fantastic new outdoor space come to fruition, as part of the wider package of investment into the area, made possible by the Castleton Bee Network programme. Our children’s play areas are really important places, which are well used by local families, and I’m confident this one will be very popular with the Castleton community.”
Work began on the delivery of the play area on Thursday, 11 July 2024, and is to be named Smalley’s after Tweedales and Smalley, an international textile machinery company that operated in Castleton from 1891–1962.
An official open day will also take place on Monday, 2 September 2024 with Your Trust where families across the borough will be able to try several activities, including balance bikes, a family-led ride and games, plus much more.
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