A community engagement event is to be held at Eastwoods Park, Prudhoe on March 12, to discuss how the new PlayZone which is currently being built, can be used and developed. 
 

The event will take place between 5pm – 7pm at the Miners Lamp Community Cafe and Hub and members of the public are invited to come along to share their ideas on the activities they’d like to see at their local PlayZone. 
 

The PlayZones will have an all-weather playing surface, fencing and floodlighting to provide a safe, outdoor recreational space that can be used throughout the year.  

 

Northumberland County Councillor and local ward councillor Gordon Stewart said: 

 

“The PlayZone scheme is an exciting new county wide initiative being led and delivered by Northumberland County Council who are working closely with the Football Foundation and local community groups.”  

 

“The PlayZone in Prudhoe is being developed to help more people of all ages to become active in their own community. 

 

“The local community has been really supportive of the scheme, and we’d like to see that continue. It is going to be a well-used and popular local facility, but we want to ensure that everyone has a chance to use it – that's why we’d really like you to get involved and come along and talk to us about the type of sports and activities you’d like to see it used for.” 

 

West Wylam PlayZone  is one of the first of potentially 16 PlayZones across Northumberland. Three others are currently under construction at Alnwick, Amble and Ashington. 

 

The  PlayZones in Northumberland have been made possible thanks to grant funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation. The council will also be contributing a further £82k with further funding being put forward by local members and organisations. 

The Friends of Eastwood Park will be managing the Eastwoods Park PlayZone site and have also contributed £26k to the scheme. County Councillors Gordon Stewart and Angie Scott each made a £10,000 contribution and Prudhoe Town Council has also put in funding. 

 

A steering and development group made up of local people will help shape the programme of use.