New Blunsdon St Andrew Play Park opens

The community in north Swindon came together to celebrate the opening of the new Richardson Play Park in Blunsdon St Andrew.

The park was officially opened by local resident and community champion Maria Holland and attended by Mayor of Swindon Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh.

There was a children’s party, face painting, magic shows and balloon sculpting for families to explore and enjoy the new facilities.

The long-awaited Play Park includes a children’s play apparatus, a play pitch and a trim trail.

The event was sponsored by Gaming International and attended by local residents, local ward councillors, Leader of Swindon Borough Council Cllr Jim Robbins and North Swindon MP Will Stone as well as the Mayor.

Maria Holland said: “The residents are delighted that this facility has opened in time for the school summer holidays, and we thought it would be great to invite local families to an opening party. 

"We are very grateful to Gaming International, Swindon Borough Council and Cllr Daniel Adams for getting this open, sponsoring and helping us organise the celebration.”

Cllr Adams said: "I want to say a big thank you to Gaming International for sponsoring this brilliant event, which was much enjoyed by residents and young children. 

"My colleague Cllr Chandler and I, alongside local residents, have worked hard with Swindon Borough Council and Gaming International to get where we are today. So I want to thank them for their perseverance and for coming out to celebrate the opening of this fantastic community facility, which I hope will be enjoyed for years to come."

The Mayor said: “It was a pleasure to meet some of the residents and help to open this fantastic new park, which will be a great facility for local families to enjoy.

“It is really important local communities have access to amenities like this which boost residents’ health and wellbeing. It has most definitely been worth the wait to see the children having so much fun.”

Clarke Osborne of Gaming International said: “We are really delighted to open these facilities and to support our local community in holding a party to celebrate. 

"My admiration to Maria Holland and her helpers for the hard work that went into organising this party and my thanks to local representatives, Swindon Borough Council and local residents for their assistance and patience over the last few months as we worked towards opening the park. 

"It is fantastic to see the local community enjoying the new facilities and I look forward to seeing it become a hub for fun and fitness for local families over the summer months and beyond.”