Frostoms Play Park Project: Residents` dream becomes a reality

You said…  We want to a new play area for our children, but don’t know where to start.

We did…  Worked with a whole range of organisations to support residents in making the play area a reality.

June saw the launch of a new play facility for children in the South Workington Estate of Frostoms. 

The idea to build the Frostoms Play Park came from a group of residents who wanted to a much needed play area for the children on the Estate. Together they formed the Next Generation community group, a residents group which has worked with a wide range of partner organisations to make their ideas a reality. 

The Frostoms Estate lies in the heart of the South Workington Neighbourhood Management Area, identified as one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country.

Despite this, residents and organisations which deliver services in the area have worked hard to see the project through to completion. 

The county council’s Community Unit in Allerdale are part of the South Workington Neighbourhood Management Partnership, set up work with local people to make the area a better place to live.

Central to the partnership’s work have also been staff from a wide range of organisations including Mark Fryer, South Workington Neighbourhood Manager; Councillor Barbara Cannon; Derwent & Solway Housing Association; Allerdale Borough Council; the NHS; Cumbria Constabulary and many others.

The partnership has worked with residents to gain funding for the £111,000 project, from organisations including Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Community Foundation, Big Lottery and Play Builder. 

They have also helped Next Generation understand more about maintenance in the long term, project management and local politics. The Next Generation group will become long term caretakers of the play area, working with partners on issues such as maintenance to make sure the playground is a great local facility for years to come.  

The play area and its equipment has been chosen and designed by the children in the area.

Next Generation are continuing to organise a range of community social events aimed at bringing residents of all ages closer together.

For more information, contact Allerdale Community Unit.