The popular centrepiece of the play area in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is being replaced with an even more exciting facility.
The Fort was damaged beyond repair following an arson attack late last year.
Harrogate Borough Council has consulted on three options to replace the Fort and children and parents have given the thumbs up to proposals put forward by Eibe Play Ltd. It will have a wobble bridge, climbing walls, monkey bars, rope bridges, the all-important slide and much much more.
This is what some of the children and parents said about the design:
“the climbing wall is great, its got a variation of equipment”
“it looks better and funner than the rest”
“it has lots to go on, it is aimed at both age groups (young and old children)”
“awesome”
“it has more activities on it”
Councillor Caroline Bayliss Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, said:
I am so pleased that we are going to be able to fully replace the Fort. I would like to say a big thank you to the Menwith Hill Community Heart Beat fund which contributed £2000 via the Friends of the Valley Gardens to help plug the small funding gap.
Depending on the weather, work will start in mid-February and we hope to have the new Fort ready for opening in time for the Easter holidays. This is a major piece of work and for safety reasons we will have to close the play area once work starts.
Unfortunately, this means that the play area will be closed over the February half term which is a shame but really can’t be avoided if we are to have it ready for Easter. I am so looking forward to seeing children enjoying the replacement Fort. I am sure this new one is going to prove just as popular with them and their parents.
