Miles of smiles have have provided the pay off for a £1.1m investment in play facilities throughout Durham county.
The Playbuilder programme delivered by Durham County Council has included a £46,000 investment in play equipment at Waldridge Village, Chester-le-Street.
It is one of 24 play areas to benefit from the programme that has been supported by community groups, town and parish councils, local ward member budgets, Area Action Partnerships and the Big Lottery Community Spaces initiative.
Groundwork has developed 13 of the projects.
The result is fun, fun, fun this summer for youngsters now enjoying the new facilities in Waldridge. They had earlier been invited to celebrate take part in special events to mark the completion.
Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Cllr Brian Stephens said:”This is a huge achievement. Creating safe and interesting places for our young people to go and for families to get together is a key priority for this council. It is no mean feat to have 24 new or revamped environments for children to explore.
They included arts and crafts, football coaching for six to 11-year-olds and a teddy bear’s picnic.
Above: Vice chairman of Durham County Council Linda Marshall get playtime started at Waldridge, ably assisted by 6-year-old Frankie Rowe. Also pictured is Coun Allan Bainbridge and Waldridge residents.
