Playparks in Stafford

[littleme]

The care worker husband & I were only talking about parks a few days ago, & about how as kids we would spend the whole day at the park, and how they seemed a lot bigger with a lot more to do than the parks have now. Of course that was the good old 70's/80's & everything was bigger, better & shinyer.

Maybe its easier with boys, my older 2 would always have a game of football before or after going on the play equipment, but I struggle to stay for an hour & find enough to do with my daughter....

Other parks we like....Derrington and Gnosall parks hardly ever have anyone else there (ideal for mums who like to go on the swings too), there's a large park by the big Tesco in Hednesford that's good, and best for a while day out is Cannock Chase Visitor Centre (Marquis Drive
Cannock, WS12 4PW).

 

[proactive]

Best entertainment the boy p has is out dogging on the Chase, or riding his bike on it with his mates.

 

[Wormella]

The 'Main' play park in Victoria Park isn't flagged, though it's fairly obvious to all, I suppose..

Yes it is, although in a different section of 'destination' parks - since they are huge

 

[Dawz]

I wonder hwat happened to the redevelopment at coton fields behind the new MOD buildings. They were supposed to be heavily investing and upgrading ala town park.

Houses are complete but have done nothing.

 

[Wormella]

Looks like Queensville retail park is due to have a play park added soon

 

[John Marwood]

Nearly makes sense! Was it the unicorn head that gave me away?....or was I falling off something?

 

[Withnail]

Seeing as we are about it...

... there is one here.

I don't think you are welcome to use it though - you don't look quite the right 'sort' to me.

 

[Wormella]

Everything was fine when we were down there about 10 days ago.

So were were in this neck of the woods (Valerian Drive) on Sunday dropping off a Christmas card and went to investigate - most of the park 'attractions' are fenced off - and combination of that and the dilapidated pavilion of the Doxey Universal Sports Club made for a very strange feeling to the development.

 

[Wormella]

So were were in this neck of the woods (Valerian Drive) on Sunday dropping off a Christmas card and went to investigate - most of the park 'attractions' are fenced off - and combination of that and the dilapidated pavilion of the Doxey Universal Sports Club made for a very strange feeling to the development.

Good news - word has come to me from the Doxey Parish newsletter that the parish council are going to take over running the Valerian Drive playpark and it should reopen soon (with some new things in it)

 

[littleme]

Good news - word has come to me from the Doxey Parish newsletter that the parish council are going to take over running the Valerian Drive playpark and it should reopen soon (with some new things in it)

That's good news - it was in a terrible state last time I took minime

 

[proactive]

I fear that will be a waste of money...

 

[Wormella]

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/in-your-area/400000-park-revamp-given-green-2182843

£400,000 park revamp given green light
The development is due to be completed next year

Youngsters are set to have a new playground to enjoy next year – with space for teenagers to practice free running and a garden area for toddlers on the cards.

Charnley Road Open Space in Stafford is the latest park in line for a revamp by Stafford Borough Council and earlier this year residents were invited to have their say on concept designs for the new facilities.


And this month the council’s cabinet gave the green light for the project to move onto the next stage.

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure, told Thursday’s cabinet meeting: "We have been through consultation and the proposal is we go ahead.
The council has earmarked just under £400,000 towards the park revamp, with cash coming from agreements made by developers granted planning permission in the area – known as Section 106 funds.

The new facilities are expected to include the following...
A 'play garden' for young children and babies with natural features, soft planting and equipment for toddlers
An activity area for teenagers and older children including equipment for free running, as well as workout and hangout space.
A 'junior play space' with a range of equipment for children of all ages
A 'Street Style' skate park set in a plaza landscape
An outdoor gym
A picnic area with benches near the play areas and a seating area surrounded by a meadow and nature space
New paths offering circular routes for dog walkers
A report to Thursday’s cabinet meeting said: "The open space at Charnley Road covers an area of 5,479 hectare and currently contains a 50 space car park; three adult and junior football pitches; mobile changing rooms; a multi-use games area; informal open space (and a) play area containing four items of equipment which is overdue for refurbishment.

"The site is the largest area of open space in the locality. It is already heavily used for a range of informal and formal leisure activities including children’s play, ball games, football matches, dog walking, kite flying and general recreational activities.

Concept of the junior play area
"This includes a number of pieces of outdoor gym equipment that have been identified through public consultation as desirable within this project."

 

[proactive]

The open space at Charnley Road covers an area of 5,479 hectare

Really?

 

[markpa12003]

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/in-your-area/400000-park-revamp-given-green-2182843

£400,000 park revamp given green light
The development is due to be completed next year

Youngsters are set to have a new playground to enjoy next year – with space for teenagers to practice free running and a garden area for toddlers on the cards.

Charnley Road Open Space in Stafford is the latest park in line for a revamp by Stafford Borough Council and earlier this year residents were invited to have their say on concept designs for the new facilities.


And this month the council’s cabinet gave the green light for the project to move onto the next stage.

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure, told Thursday’s cabinet meeting: "We have been through consultation and the proposal is we go ahead.
The council has earmarked just under £400,000 towards the park revamp, with cash coming from agreements made by developers granted planning permission in the area – known as Section 106 funds.

The new facilities are expected to include the following...
A 'play garden' for young children and babies with natural features, soft planting and equipment for toddlers
An activity area for teenagers and older children including equipment for free running, as well as workout and hangout space.
A 'junior play space' with a range of equipment for children of all ages
A 'Street Style' skate park set in a plaza landscape
An outdoor gym
A picnic area with benches near the play areas and a seating area surrounded by a meadow and nature space
New paths offering circular routes for dog walkers
A report to Thursday’s cabinet meeting said: "The open space at Charnley Road covers an area of 5,479 hectare and currently contains a 50 space car park; three adult and junior football pitches; mobile changing rooms; a multi-use games area; informal open space (and a) play area containing four items of equipment which is overdue for refurbishment.

"The site is the largest area of open space in the locality. It is already heavily used for a range of informal and formal leisure activities including children’s play, ball games, football matches, dog walking, kite flying and general recreational activities.

Concept of the junior play area
"This includes a number of pieces of outdoor gym equipment that have been identified through public consultation as desirable within this project."

Fantastic. That part of the town is poorly served. I assume the money will becoming from the developer building the nearby houses and is part of the s106 agreement.

 

[Wormella]

Sad face - when did the park at the meadows estate change for the less exciting?

 

[Noah]

The Borough Council website seems to have changed, now -

https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/play-areas

Leads to separate Stafford, Stone & Rural areas lists.

 

[Wormella]

The move of Party in the Park to Rowley Park seems to have been a big success - bigger rides and more space to run around made for a good time had by all.

 

[markpa12003]

I would have preferred more stalls / things to do for very young children. The slide bouncy castle was too big for my children and the only other stall there was hook a duck, which was very busy and expensive.

I would have also preferred it if alcohol was served at the event.

Personally, I would prefer to see less fun fair rides and more things like the gymnastic stand and more fun stalls - like a penalty shoot out; throwing balls at coconuts etc etc.

 

[Wormella]

I would have preferred more stalls / things to do for very young children. The slide bouncy castle was too big for my children and the only other stall there was hook a duck, which was very busy and expensive.

I would have also preferred it if alcohol was served at the event.

Personally, I would prefer to see less fun fair rides and more things like the gymnastic stand and more fun stalls - like a penalty shoot out; throwing balls at coconuts etc etc.

My 4 year old was entertained, but when he was little-little we enjoyed the Teddy's Bears Picnic at Sir Issac Walton's Cottage. And on the subject of booze - so would Freedom Leisure I guess but the locals opposed their application for the stadium

 

[Wormella]