- Parkour site in Bewbush
Today Crawley Happy Times Online had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the new rejuvenated park on Breezehurst Drive, Bewbush, Crawley. Although the rain decided to fall on us for the first hour, it did not deter the residents of Crawley coming along to see what the rejuvenation project had to offer its community.
And what a splendid park it is! The new site has been put together with such attention, it really can’t help but be impressive. In four sections you will find a toddler’s park, kitted out to a very high specification, with safety in mind throughout. There’s also a teenagers’ park with some wonderful features, including an inventive trampoline built into the ground which was admired and thoroughly used when we were there.
West Sussex County Councillor Chris Oxlade
In between each of these sites stands the climbing wall, with a fantastic sponge flooring for a safer drop. Then last but not least stands the most amazing and spectacular parkour site, with varying architectural concrete blocks and an abstract metal sculpture. Alister was part of the consultation and design team and absolutely vital to the project, assisting in the technical placement of the concrete blocks. Alister, Urban Playground Team, told us he was very pleased with the outcome and hoped it would encourage the youth of Crawley to come together in a focused and energetic environment. You can hear more about what Alister had to say about the site in the following interview below.
The Worshipful the Councillor Mayor Brenda Burgess was present to officially open the new park. Mayor Brenda Burgess told us that, although she didn’t do parkour herself, she would be keeping a close eye on how the park influenced the youngsters, with the intention of using the knowledge and learning to build other parks within Crawley. Mayor Brenda Burgess also told us how
Mayor Brenda Burgess showing how it should be done
they had built the new park once consulting with the local community on exactly what they needed and what would be best for the youths of our town. We apologies for the lack of sound, it was a very windy day!
County Councillor Chris Oxlade (West Sussex County Councillor for Bewbush) was also present to give his support and to welcome the families and children who attended. Chris was very happy with the outcome and hoped it would lead the way for future projects.
Alister aka Buster speaking to the children about parkour
Appreciation for this wonderful project includes Nikke Gladwin-Paffett, Community Services Manager for Children & Young People. Nikke has worked in this field for many years so has a massive amount of experience to tap in to. Nikke arranged a design and play consultation where around 30 children from the Bewbush area where invited to design and draw what equipment they would like most in the park. Nikke then took them on a play tour of various other parks so they could see the different types of play equipment available to them. Along with Nikke and four of the main contractors, the children then sat around and worked out what was best for the new site. Geoff Waller who was from the civil engineer company also played a vital part in the project as did the designers and parkour professionals Urban Playground – Alister and Miranda. And not least, the young parkour people of Crawley who advised us in the early stages.
Liz Hart deserves a big mention as Liz was heavily involved with this project and helped to make it a great success. Liz is the Community Arts Officer based at The Hawth and has been working with the youth of Crawley for many years, improving their access to performing arts in various forms. Although when we spoke to Liz she prompted there is no I in team! Liz said former colleague Dave Downey was a part of the ‘team’ and his title was Active Crawley Officer, Extreme Sports, who now works at K2 was a great contributor to this project. Dave’s interaction with the children’s ideas and his input into the the parkour site were invaluable. Yvonne Newman, Client Project Manager, Property Services and Procurement was another great contributor of time and effort. The whole concept was built up over a two year period and it took twelve months to complete and construct.
We were amazed with the different types of equipment which made up the four sites. They are innovative, educational and great fun to play on. Personally I had a little go on one of the pieces of equipment called ‘ridgerider’ and fell off with great style may I say. Not completely recommended for the larger people of the town. Here are the pictures to prove my bravery.
Going, going......
We are very excited about this new park and look forward to the invite to the next rejuvenation project Crawley has to offer.
.....Going, gone!!
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