The countdown is on until fencing comes down at a park in Stone to signal the opening of brand new play facilities in time for the school half term break. 

Westbridge Park is undergoing a major £1.5m transformation and from Saturday (28 October) youngsters will be able to play on fantastic new equipment, ride on the double zip wire, and have a go in the multi-use games area (MUGA). 

Although the scheme - which includes wheeled sports bowl, toilets, enhanced pathways, and landscaping - is on track to be completed later in November, Stafford Borough Council has opened the children’s facilities for the start of the half term holidays.  

Councillor Gillian Pardesi, Cabinet Member for Leisure at the borough council, visited the site recently with colleagues to see the work taking shape and said it was great news for local youngsters and the facilities would draw people from across the town and beyond. 

“It is so exciting to see this fantastic play area having the finishing touches applied so that it is ready to be open - and the children will love it. I’m sure having the facilities available for the half term holidays will also be great news for many parents and carers,” she said. 

The play park is significantly larger than the previous site and includes a range of equipment for all ages - including tower and tube slide, integrated mini trampoline, boulder scramble, tyre swing, and climbing blocks. The double zip wire has a more than 30 metre run and the MUGA is available for five-a-side football, basketball, and tennis - but provides a space for people doing circuit training and keep fit.  

The sunken garden will also be open from Saturday. A new woodland play area, which is part of the major makeover, is already proving popular with picnic table for families and wooden features for children to build or climb on. 

Key space for local events and existing football provision has been incorporated in the design of the park. Work is still being carried out on the wheeled sports facility and car parks. 

Cllr Pardesi added: “We will not be taking our foot off the pedal as we now want to see the whole development completed and open for everyone as soon as possible.  

“This important scheme will draw more visitors to Stone, supporting the local economy, and will improve walking and cycling routes which will offer further opportunities for people to keep active while enjoying the beautiful surrounds.”  

More information will be available from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/westbridge-park

Press Release No 6077