CHILDREN in Great Barr were celebrating today after two new state-of-the-art playgrounds were created in Red House Park.
The toddlers' playground and a multi-games area, which cost £85,000 each, will be opened on Sunday by the Mayor of Sandwell, Coun Sadie Smith.
The cutting of the ribbons will be part of a fun day organised by the Friends of Red House Park, who have also been busy restoring the rose gardens.
Founder Sarah Carter said: "It should be a fantastic day, and the fact that after a decade without a toddlers' playground we finally have a replacement is really wonderful news for the children of Great Barr.
"The multi-games area has only just been opened, but it is already keeping youngsters from hanging around local street corners and the Red House."
Sandwell Council and the Friends footed the bill for the two playgrounds, with the council using Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Cash and the Friends organising a whole host of charity events.
Sarah added: "Our fun days are usually great fun with the local community really coming out in force to support the Friends of Red House Park."
The latest project for the Friends is ensuring the good health of the trees in the park after a spate of diseases that has killed several old trees.
Even the 150 year-old tree in front of the Red
House will have to be removed. The grand old Robina Pseudocacia has split in two, leaving the Friends looking for £550 to replace it.
Sarah added: "We are taking the health of all the trees very seriously and we are planning to make benches out of several beautiful beech trees that have died." n For more information on the fun day phone Sarah Carter on 357 2482.
