Photo and interview opportunity:
Meet the children who worked hard to make their dream playground a reality
Karen Stearn, Playground Co-ordinator at Osbournby Primary School said: "We are delighted to dedicate the new wildlife garden to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in this, the 60th anniversary year of the Trust’s foundation. We would also like to thank all the parents, businesses and children for all their time donations and help."
The story of the playground is a sad one as, up until a year ago, the area had a public footpath running through the centre. Unfortunately the children couldn't have any equipment or carryout any projects outside due to the vandals who would spoil them or steal them during the evenings or weekends. After a five year battle the footpath was redirected meaning the children could finally have the playground of their dreams.
Winning a £5,000 prize from Playground Partnerships in conjunction with Woolworths Kids First, a children's charity associated with Woolworths Plc., has helped make the children's dream playground become a reality. The children at the school designed the playground themselves. They formed teams consisting of surveyors, health and safety officers, designers, budgeters and coordinators. Each team had to provide evidence of their research in planning their dream playground.
The Playground now consists of: a Wildlife Garden including a pond, insect house, log pile, wildflower walk and meadow, and nesting boxes; a Quiet Area - a place for reading, drawing or sitting quietly; a Growing Area - for each class to grow their own fruit and vegetables; a Herb Garden; a Trim Trail; and a Stage which is used as an outdoor classroom for assemblies and plays - this has been a huge hit with the children making their own performances at play times. There are also beautiful minibeast mosaics designed and made by the children.
The children are also starting to monitor what new wildlife the garden is attracting, so far we have seen hedgehogs, a frog in the pond, lot of worms and mini beasts and birds nesting in the new boxes.
The playground and garden at Osbournby Primary School has been supported by:
- Playground Partnerships. www.playgroundpartnerships.org (The scheme has been temporarily suspended this year due to Woolworths being in administration).
- Freiston Centre for Environmental Education, Boston - helped plan and construct our new wildlife area.
- Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust - help and guidance.
- Sleaford Lions - donation of £100.
- Jewsons, Sleaford - a visit by the children to budget the playground and donated two pergolas.
- John Claytons Professional Paddock Care - Mr Mason, heavy machinery and labour.
- M N Sands Pond Aquatics - help, advice and supply of pond plants
- Mary Mary Mosaics - Sarah Graves, mosaic workshop with whole school making minibeasts
- Aswarby Saw Mill - log seating
- Four Seasons Garden Centre, Sleaford - lots of advice, a visit by the children and garden supplies
- Homebase, Sleaford - bedding plants and greenhouse
- Parents and Governors - for giving up their time and all their hard work
- CTTS - Cable Telecommunications Training Services, Lincoln donated a bird box with web cam
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