THREE play areas inspired by the city’s civil war history have been opened by excited youngsters.
Pupils from Stanley Road Primary School climbed aboard the new play equipment in Fort Royal Park last Wednesday (November 27) and unveiled boards bearing the names they had chosen for each area – Faithful City, Parliamentarians Strike Back and Cromwell’s Victory.
The play areas form the final piece in Worcester City Council’s £220,000 investment in Fort Royal Park. Each one contains play equipment designed for a range of age groups.
The first for younger children replicates a civil war period farm homestead which includes swings, a slide and small pieces of play equipment designed for climbing and role play.
The new play piece on the top of Fort Royal Park has been designed for older children, containing a large, web-like climbing structure in the shape of a civil war tent, held up by long poles which represent civil war ‘pikes.’
On top of this, there is fortress complete with a tunnel slide and rope climbing frame designed to keep all Worcester’s adventurous royalists and parliamentarians amused for hours.
A new grassed picnic area with seating is also part of the refurbishment.
“Fort Royal is a site of great historic importance not only for Worcester but also nationally and internationally,” Coun Matthew Lamb, cabinet member for cleaner and greener at Worcester City Council, said.
“We’ve breathed new life into this fantastic park, which now offers something to people of all ages.”
In September, a specially commissioned bronze plaque created by artist Kenneth Potts was unveiled at the top of Fort Royal Hill – the site of the final battle of the English Civil War on 3 September 1651.
Three civil war interpretation boards have been specially designed by artist and historian Steve Rigby, and are also located in the park.
