Mum’s plea over play equipment

A Crowland mum-of-two is calling for action over the lack of play facilities for youngsters in the town.

Ruth Wilson says her two-year-old son was unable to enjoy a trip to the park on the Snowden Field because all the apparatus is aimed at older children.

She said: “I walked from our home to the only park in Crowland with my two children, it was the first time that we had ventured out to the park due to poor weather conditions and the age of my youngest child (six months).

“I was very disappointed with the small park, aimed at children up to age 12.

“The park is not suitable for younger children at all. The few apparatus within the park are aimed at children aged seven plus.

“The park consists of a metal climbing frame with monkey bars, two small swings, one swing for older children and a broken swing, a couple of playground springers, some roll over bars, a slide that is high and has unsuitable steps for small children, a large see-saw and a large roundabout.

“I was disappointed for my son – he loves going to parks and having a run around outside in a safe environment and the only park within walking distance of our house is completely unsuitable for him.

“He ran around in the park and attempted to climb the slide with my help but couldn’t enjoy the apparatus at all.

“There is insufficient space within the park for him to run around safely as older children swinging from monkey bars, roll over bars, playing on the swings and roundabout are likely to injure him.

“In addition to the lack of appropriate apparatus, the whole park was a bit run down and unappealing. The grass had been cut recently but the paint was peeling on all the apparatus, one swing was broken and it generally looked unloved.”

Mrs Wilson, who moved with her family to Crowland in November, is asking the parish council to provide a park for younger children with apparatus suitable for children from aged 18 months upwards.

She added: “I know we are one of many families with young children in Crowland and I am sure that a park aimed at preschool and KS1 children would be greatly appreciated.

“I feel very passionately about this subject. We do not intend to move away in the near future, meaning that my children will grow up here.

“I would very much like them to be able to run around at a park suitable for their age.”

Assistant clerk Di Halliwell said the council chairman will be contacting Mrs Wilson.

She added that there are two play areas on the Snowden Field – one secure area for the under 12s, and an adventure area for the older children.

She said: “Like all play areas we have suffered from theft and have just had to replace a stolen swing in the small children’s play area.”