Four local children have been selected to join the prestigious Play Panel at Stockeld Park to mark the opening of the brand new Playhive. Amongst more than 40 applicants, the four new recruits stood out for their imagination and enthusiasm for play.
The four play experts have been invited to take a test run of the new £3.5 million Playhive at Stockeld Park, and supply feedback on the play experience. The children will also cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony and be able to treat their class to a free visit to the one-of-a-kind play area.
The Play Panel will consist of four roles to correlate with the play zones: Chief Jungle Officer (jungle zone), Head of Space (space zone), Sea Expert (underwater zone) and Air Captain (flying zone). Each has been designed with fun, play, creativity and imagination in mind and the result is something completely unique.
The applicants were tasked to submit a video explaining their dream play area and which role they feel best qualified for. The final panellists include Harry Salm, five, from Huddersfield as the Air Captain, Beau Jackson, six, of Spofforth, Head of Space, Sofia Azam, nine, from Marton, Middlesborough as Sea Expert and Harrogate based Mari Silverwood, five, as Chief Jungle Officer.
Beau was selected after his mum helped him submit a video of a secret agent playground that he created in his own back garden. After reviewing the space zone at the Playhive.
Beau said:
I love the Playhive! I’m so excited to have been chosen as the Head of Space – the life-sized astronaut and the alien slide were my favourite parts. I can’t wait to bring my classmates.
Stockeld Park owner and Playhive founder Peter Grant said:
My wife Susie and I are delighted to be launching the Playhive as an exciting, all-weather addition to Stockeld Park. This project means a lot to us, we didn’t want it to be just another soft play area, we wanted something brand new that was truly creative and original. We also knew that it would need to be very special to capture the imagination of the children and adults that know and love Stockeld Park.
We are so pleased with our new members of the Play Panel – they will bring a fresh perspective to each of their designated zones and we are thrilled to have them experience the Playhive in full after all the hard work from the team that has gone into creating this special play experience.
The 20,000 square foot Playhive opened to the public on the 23 July. The Playhive includes larger than life wooden structures for children to explore. The donut shaped building also houses a large 33-foot tower in the centre, connecting each of the four play zones via bridges, whilst also serving as a play structure of its own with gigantic slides and a toddler zone. Lockers are available for visitors’ convenience and there is a pizzeria for families to enjoy after a day of play.
