Castle Grounds playground is award winning finalist

BeccaS
Castle Grounds Play park

14 March 2023

  • Castle Grounds playground receives RoSPA finalist award
  • RoSPA hold annual conference to choose winning playground
  • Castle Grounds completely renovated in 2021

Tamworth Borough Council is delighted to announce that the Castle Grounds playground has received a RoSPA finalist award.

Tamworth Castle Grounds Playground was one of three shortlisted finalists in the 2023 RoSPA Play Value Awards, in the ‘Free to Enter Playgrounds’ Category.

RoSPA is a not-for-profit organisation that has worked for more than 100 years to help people recognise and reduce their risk of accidents, at home, on the road, at work and at leisure. Their goal is to enable everyone to live their lives to the full, safely. They regularly inspect throughout the UK, and make an assessment of play value offered to children.

The organisation inspects play area sites which offer excellent play value, with the best of the best shortlisted for awards.

This year, the finalists were:

  • The Royal Parks, Gloucester Gate, Regent’s Park
  • Tamworth Borough Council Castle Grounds Playground
  • The Meadow Recreation Ground, Linton Parish Council

At the RoSPA Play Safety Conference 2023, The Meadow Recreation Ground, Linton Parish Council, were awarded the 2023 winner’s trophy for this category, which was determined through delegate voting.

Being shortlisted is a huge accolade and while the Meadow Recreation Ground, Linton Parish Council were awarded the overall 2023 winner’s trophy, being recognised by RoSPA is a real success for Tamworth.

The Castle Grounds playground was completely renovated in 2021 thanks to Tamworth Borough Council capital funding of £375,000 granted in 2020.

Designed by national contractor, Wicksteed, the new playground includes equipment for youngsters aged three to 14 and offers a huge variety of swings, slides, seesaws, towers, roundabouts, climbing frames, climbing walls, monkey bars, trim trails, action spinners, buddy board, tee pees and more.

The play area also has a focus on inclusivity with many elements that can be enjoyed by children of all abilities. This includes a wheelchair accessible roundabout, supported swing seats, wheelchair access ramps and a variety of sensory play boards, including human-powered kinetic energy play panels.

In keeping with the castle theme, the equipment also includes bespoke castle-themed structures at the centre, complete with turrets. Visitors are welcomed to the park through a castle gate design.

Councillor Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “To have made it as a finalist is a terrific achievement in itself. I’m happy to say that we will receive a finalist trophy, to recognise and applaud the achievement.

“We know how much families enjoy using this play area, and how more accessible the new design and layout is for children of all abilities.

“There is so much for people to enjoy in the Castle Grounds including the outdoor gym, table tennis tables, picnic tables, the Pavillion Café, the historical castle, tennis courts, playground, and don’t forget a busy upcoming events programme including the popular St George’s Day extravaganza next month.”

To see the full outdoor events programme for this year, please visit www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk. Tickets for Tamworth Castle can be booked at www.tamworthcastle.co.uk.