Work has started on a new community play area which will be situated near to the Scotchman Road Allotments in the Toller Ward of Bradford.

Bradford Council's Landscape Design and Conservation team have been developing the new play site, working closely with JU:MP, local families and local councillors to get to this exciting stage where work has now started to transform the unused area into an play area that can be enjoyed by the wider communities of Bradford district.

The emphasis of the new site is on 'natural play', as well as providing a safe place for families to play outside together. Wildflowers and tree planting work alongside landscaping to form natural elements with rocks and boulders for children to climb on. These will integrate with new footpaths and a wooded area, Over 2000 children and local residents were consulted and involved in helping design the play area.

The project has been primarily funded through JU:MP and additional funding has come from the Tranche 1 Emergency Active Travel fund allowing for the inclusion of natural paths that link the community area to local schools and other community facilities. This means people have the option to walk through the specially designed natural environment allowing for healthier and safer ways to connect the local community areas.

Latest climate knowledge will see design measures including sustainable drainage and habitat areas created that mitigate the effects of climate change such as flooding, urban heat islands, poor air quality, and other risks associated with more extreme weather conditions, thanks to a European funded project INTERREG BEGIN.

As the project develops, further work is planned to improve connectivity in surrounding streets, to encourage people to access the community area and encourage sustainable transport to and from the local areas.

Saira Ali, Team Leader for Bradford Council's Landscape, Design and Conservation Team, said: "We're really grateful to all the funders, our partners and the community who have helped develop the plans and bring this exciting project to fruition. It's a brilliant project that turns disused land into a facility that provides local residents with a great resource that they can use in many different ways."

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places, said: "This is a fantastic initiative that has taken many years of painstaking planning by the community, ward councillors, partner agencies and our own landscape and design team. I want to thank the bodies that have funded the project and enabled it to happen. It is a play area that looks to the future and will help support both the physical and mental health of those who use it."

Keep up to date with the development of the site by signing up to receive regular JU:MP updates – email nicola.marklew@bthft.nhs.uk