Children's Sign Designs take Pride of 'Play'

Children with additional needs are taking pride in their new accessible play facilities as their colourful designs for signage are displayed in play parks across South Tyneside.

Over recent months, the Council has installed fully inclusive play pieces in 11 children's play parks across the Borough.

The new equipment ranges from level roundabouts and swing sways to rock and rumbles, to support wheelchair users and other children who have difficulties using the other play facilities.

Children from specials schools across the Borough were invited to take part in a competition to design some signage to go alongside the new equipment, encouraging users to respect the equipment and value the investment made.

Now the children are seeing their 11 eye-catching winning designs feature on signs in each of the parks with messages including 'All are Welcome', 'Play is for Everyone' and 'Think of Others'.

Councillor Audrey Huntley, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture, Leisure and the Visitor Economy, said: "Play is so important to the health and wellbeing of our children and we want children of all abilities to be able to have fun and play together.

"This is why we have invested in making our play spaces more accessible and installed inclusive play equipment that will also support children with disabilities and sensory impairments.

"It's been fantastic to involve children from our special schools in designing the signage to go with the new fully inclusive play pieces. The signs send messages to others encouraging them to take ownership of the facilities and help to look after them.

"As we mark Love Parks Week this week, and with the school holidays now in full swing, we look forward to seeing families enjoying the new play pieces in our parks over the summer and beyond."

The equipment has been provided and installed by South Shields-based Play Fitness at:

• Carr Ellison Park, Hebburn
• Lukes Lane Park, Hebburn
• West Park, Jarrow
• Disco Fields, Boldon
• Readhead Park, South Shields
• West Park, South Shields
• Cornthwaite Park, Whitburn
• Cleadon Park, South Shields
• Galsworthy Road, South Shields
• Coulthard Park, Cleadon
• Heathway, Jarrow

The Council worked with disability and community groups through a series of consultation sessions to understand their experiences and to ensure the new equipment meets the needs and wishes of those users.