Playground announced for New Wortley park

The design of the project proposes a mix of play equipment for different ages, including swings, slide, climbing equipment, agility play trail and see-saw. The existing youth shelter will be refurbished and new benches installed, and to promote learning about wildlife a nature trail will also be added to the park.

Many residents in the area have no direct outdoor access to yards or gardens and Oak Road Recreation Ground has long provided residents with access to green space and a multi-use games area.

However, there have been calls for investments in a dedicated playground as some residents have said that “for us play means jumping in the car”.

In the summer of 2023, a partnership was formed by council officers and community groups to consult local residents and design a proposal for a play area where children and families can meet. After securing funding from Veolia Environmental Trust, a charity operating under the Landfill Communities Fund, work on the new playground is now set to begin this Autumn.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “Through our Child Friendly Leeds programme we are constantly striving to make Leeds the best city in the UK for children to grow up in. One of the core pillars of that strategy is for children and young people have safe spaces to play, hang out and have fun.

“New Wortley has been waiting a long time for a dedicated play area so we’re very pleased to have secured this funding. We want to ensure that wherever you live in Leeds, children have access to green spaces and opportunities to play. The addition of a playground in Oak Road Recreation Ground is another step in the right direction.”