Playground 'experts' help boost lake attraction
A major redevelopment of the Lake District’s premier adventure playground – used by 60,000 visitors a year - begins next week thanks to expert design and advice from pupils at a nearby Windermere school.
The £10,000 project at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole on the shores of Windermere will be fully installed just in time for the expected surge in business over the Easter holidays.
National Park staff and pupils from The Lakes School – who can’t wait to try out the adventurous design - have been working together with local company Primary Landscapes on design and construction since last November.
However to enable construction work to be completed safely a part of the playground will need to be closed for just over a week. Work begins on Saturday 13 March and should be competed in time for a full re-opening of the playground on Tuesday 23 March.
Primary Landscapes, who have led the project with the Lakes School, describe the new addition to the playground as “a jumble of timber poles and scramble nets which act as the missing link to the existing play structures within the playground. The new equipment will challenge children's balance, agility, coordination, confidence, and give them a real taste of adventure and fun."
Brockhole Development Programme Manager Lisa Stewart pointed out that while the construction work was taking place the low level play equipment would still be in use alongside the popular zipwire. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the gardens, boat rides, the café, the shop and the exhibition areas.
“It’s been great fun working with the youngsters and their input has been so important to ensure we have just the kind of adventure equipment that children want. I’m sure this development will be another great addition to all the other facilities people love to enjoy at Brockhole,” she added.
The Lake District National Park Authority opened the country’s first National Park Visitors Centre at Brockhole in 1969. The site is grade II listed on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
A plan for a major redevelopment of the 30 acre site is currently underway including a new visitor centre with an indoor and outdoor adventure play facility, restored gardens, new jetty, high ropes and water sports, all to be completed by 2012.
