Massive new play area opens in Taunton

Hundreds of young people of all ages and their families gathered for the official opening of the new Viridor Green Neighbourhood Park by the Mayor of Taunton Deane,councillor Steve Brooks.

The massive area which includes play and climbing equipment by Rubiconplay.com for all ages,as well as a MUGA and fantastic BMX /skateboard track and plenty of one space to just run around,is behind the Asda store on Creechbarrow Road. Landscaping work was done by local firms Parsons Landscaping and ladscape architecs Swan Paul.

The Mayor said it was one of his proudest moments after seeing the ten year project to transform the waste ground,come to fruition and something he had been involved in,as a local councillor,from the beginning.

The principle funding came from Viridor Credits Environmental Company which makes money from the Government Landfill Communities Fund avaiable to community projects.  Seed funding also came from Taunton Deane Borough Council, unparished funds,a fund set aside for area with no parish coverage;director Brendan Cleere commented on the opening briefly and introduced the Mayor.

Councillor Brooks thanked,Viridor Credits representatives,Lisa Nelson,John Snell and Michael Hellings and Asda for allowing the use of their car park during the disruption and the local residents for being patient.

most of all he thanked council employee Jane Haires who had done a lot of the legwork on the project, from sourcing the funding, right up to litter picking before the opening.

After the ribbon was untied (not a cut,saving money) There was another ceremony as waves of BMX riders took off on the track.

The whole site was a mass of active youngsters,enjoying the sunshine and  the challenge of the specialised climbing equipment.

Beat boxer Dominic Back from BoxabeatUK added to the atmosphere with his sounds.

Councillors and members of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Taunton East Neighbourhood Team watched on with pleasure at the happy scene and some of the delighted parents said they were looking forward to using the area themselves.