A teenager’s dream of a new play park has finally become a reality after years of fundraising and hard work.
Four years ago St Christopher’s student David Reid, then 11, was so unhappy at the shabby state of the West End play area, on Blackburn Road in Oswaldtwistle, where his siblings Jack and Megan played, that he wrote to the former Oswaldtwistle Area Council to complain.
After years of meetings and fundraising, the £100,000 play park was officially opened by Hyndburn mayor Munsif Dad.
Coun Peter Britcliffe, chairman of the new Oswaldtwistle Area Forum, was delighted to welcome the new play area.
He said: “This project has been a long time coming, it’s really good news. A special congratulations to David Reid who instigated the whole project and he’s worked hard to see it through.
“Without him it wouldn’t have been possible, a young man who spent so much time working for other young people in the area.
“Special thanks also to Lisa Allen who used to be the Oswaldtwistle Area Council co-ordinator.”
The new play area, which has attracted funding from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, Oswaldtwistle Area Council, Newground Together and the Windfall Fund among others, features new play equipment chosen by local children.
David, now 14, said he had enjoyed a lot of help to make the play area happen.
He said: “I want to say a big thank you to all the people of Oswaldtwistle and surrounding areas for the help and support with my campaign to get the West End Play Area revamped to make a safe and fun place for the local and visiting children of all ages to enjoy.”
David thanked local businesses and community groups for the support and help in raising the funds, the area council’s Peter Britcliffe, Judith Addison, Lisa Allen and Marlene Haworth, for inviting him to voice his reasons for the play area revamp, and to Alan Green, Peter Jordon, Mark Pickup, and NewGround Together.
He also thanked his mum and dad for encouraging him to start the campaign in the first place.
David’s dad Sean said: “David is delighted it’s finished and ready to go and he’s happy he’s achieved what he set out to do.
“It’s been a long time coming.”
