A CHILDREN’S play area in Horsforth Hall Park has reopened after the addition of new equipment to make it more inclusive.

An old and broken see-saw has been removed along with a stiff netted carousel and replaced with a new see-saw and a roundabout.

Both new pieces are designed so that all children, including those with disabilities, can play together. The see-saw has back supports and the roundabout is wheelchair accessible meaning children with additional physical needs can also play independently.

Horsforth’s three ward councillors have welcomed the refurbishment of the play area and its reopening. They say problems with accessibility were raised by local parents who visited the park with friends from outside the area, including a child who uses a wheelchair.

Councillor Dawn Collins said: “This issue was brought to my attention and I knew we had to do something about it. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are from playing outside with my friends and we should be encouraging more children to ditch the iPad and play outside with their friends, regardless of their physical ability and I am pleased we have been able to secure the funding to provide this positive change.”

Councillor Jackie Shemilt said: “Inclusive play will ensure all children can play together and should be a feature in all play areas. We will be taking this forward as we expand the number of easily accessible play areas across Horsforth and Rawdon, and will be consulting residents in the New Year with our proposals.”

Councillor Jonathon Taylor added: “We are now committed to including inclusive play at all our planned play areas to encourage children who can often feel left out that they are as important and valued as everyone else. This investment for younger children complements our work driving forward a new skatepark for older teenagers and park users that had previously fallen by the wayside. We expect the new skatepark to be open for use in April.”

The total cost of the new equipment was £21,215. The money came from the Outer North West Community Committee’s wellbeing fund, and was approved at a meeting in September this year.

The report to the meeting said: “Parks and Countryside are requesting £21,215 to create an innovative and creative play area in Horsforth Hall Park. The project would incorporate a new accessible flatbed roundabout.

“The Horsforth Hall Park has a specially designed outdoor integrated play facility allowing disabled and able bodied children under the age of eight to play together. This play area was the first of its kind in Leeds.”