New children’s play area in Lache to be officially opened

The new children’s play area at Sycamore Park in Lache is now complete and will be officially opened later this month.

The extensively refurbished play area includes a larger infant/junior play space, a broad range of new with a showpiece multi-climbing unit, creative play, as well as specially designed pieces, fully accessible for disabled children to play alongside their peers. Additionally, there is a zip wire and social seating area for older children to enjoy.

The official opening will take place with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3.45pm on Friday 19 July, by Councillor Paul Donovan, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Engagement.

A range of activities will be available in the park from 2pm, including large outdoor games, sports day races and bike marking, as well as refreshments.

The improved play area also has two new signs which have been designed by local children through a school competition, one from Lache Primary and one from St Clare’s Catholic Primary.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Engagement, Councillor Paul Donovan said:

“I’m delighted I’m going to officially open this wonderful new play area and that we have been able to deliver on our aspiration to improve Sycamore Park to benefit local children in Lache and also fantastic that they have had an input –  being able to provide the investment and engagement that local residents really want to see in their neighbourhoods.”

The Friends of Lache said:

“It’s great the new play area will be open for the summer holidays, and we hope that local families will make good use of it over the summer.

“We are hoping to set up a ‘Friends of Sycamore Park’ group of volunteers - if anyone is interested, please get in touch by contacting the Chester Communities team at:

chesterlocality@cheshirewest.gov.uk

The scheme is one of the four projects which form the Lache Action plan endorsed by the Council in November 2023, following extensive community consultation. It has been made possible in combination through Council backing, developer contributions and funding from several private trusts; including Ursula Keys Trust, Michie Family Charitable Trust and Chester Bluecoat Charity, as part of a Spacehive campaign led by Friends of Lache.

Works to new play facilities began in April 2024 and include new seating, landscaping and pathway improvements, complementing the existing multi-games area, junior football goals and skateboard area.