Off the estates and into the park

Off the estates and into the park - Update of the Wyre Forest project

July saw the opening of the latest Wicksteed playground and sports area in Wyre Forest Community Housing's programme to review and upgrade 16 play areas in the towns around Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn.

According to Rob Kautzner, in his role as Street Warden for the non-profit making social housing company, the transformation at Borrington Road, Kidderminster has been no less than amazing.

A safe place to play and the promotion of healthy exercise for local children have certainly been provided by Wicksteed Leisure. One of the most valuable outcomes, however, that the neighbouring Comberton and Offmore estates have experienced is a change in the quality of their lives.

Previously, children were running free on the estates in gangs, often indulging in anti-social behaviour, causing damage and distressing other residents. "Ever since the park opened with its new play facilities on 17th July," enthused Rob, "it's been packed. Virtually 100% of the children, whose aimlessness was making people on the estates afraid, now see the Borrington Road Park as the place where they prefer to be. They don't hang around any more on street corners, by the church or outside pubs making a nuisance of themselves. As for the rest of the community members, they can now get to the shops and go about their daily lives without fear and anxiety."

The key to the undoubted success of the £200,000 installation is consultation. Left to themselves, children cannot be expected to have vision. Rob and his colleagues and all members of the Offmore & Comberton Action Group gave the children the respect they deserve and simply asked what they wanted. The answer was loud and clear: a place of their own for sport, play and relaxation. With the full support of the youngsters as well as that of parents and other residents, a wish-list was compiled.

Wicksteed Leisure, is Wyre Forest's partner involved in the supply and installation of the play equipment. Chosen for the safety, durability and quality of their products, Wicksteed's flexible approach to incorporating local ideas for the playground design was welcomed. Wicksteed in turn supported Wyre Forest in getting the specification right.

There's something for every age group, including spring mobiles for toddlers, a multi-play unit from Wicksteed's modular Tropica range for children up to 8 years, see-saw and swings filling the gap up to 14.

And when they're feeling less energetic and just want to get together, the older children have a Wicksteed Youth Centre to call their own.

The funding was raised from Living Spaces, Wyre Forest Community Housing, Wyre Forest District Council and Crime Prevention Trust and Kidderminster Youth Trust.

Rob Kautzner continued, "The park has actually been revitalised. In addition to spontaneous use, the District Council organises sports activities twice a week for some 60 children – you can see them playing football, basketball and skateboarding when you pass by. Families with children visit the park and use the picnic tables provided and organisations like cubs and scouts are enjoying the new venue, too. In 2 years as Street Warden, I have never experienced any of this before in Borrington Road. The whole project has been a godsend to everyone."

Action Group Success:

• The Offmore & Comberton Action Group was created to bring together Residents, Churches, Shop Keepers, Councillors, Wyre Forest Community Housing and its Street Wardens, the Council, Police and Schools to address the high levels of anti social behaviour in the local area.
• Rosemary Bishop of the Offmore and Comberton Action Group and Chairperson of Comberton Tenant Consultative Committee was awarded the High Sheriff of Worcestershire's Award for Community Service for 2004.
• The Offmore & Comberton Action Group are the joint winners of the 'Tenant Participation Advisory Service' Participation in Practice Award Crime Reduction Competition - Anti Social Behaviour category - for 2004. The Tenant Participation Advisory Service is supported by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation. The first prize is £1,000 to plough back into local projects.

For teenagers and young adults, a multi-use Wildcats Premier Ballcourt and a Wicked Wheel Skatepark.