York Labour councillors Danny Myers and Margaret Wells have opened a brand new play area at Crombie Avenue in Clifton, just days after a similar overhaul at Glen Gardens in Heworth.
The case for renewing play areas in Clifton and establishing the Labour administration's Parks Investment Fund arose after Crombie Avenue largely missed out on earlier rounds of funding. Clifton councillors Danny Myers and Margaret Wells raised the underfunding with the council leader and Executive Member for Environment soon after Labour took control of the council in 2023.
Together with Ashton Avenue, the Crombie Avenue scheme forms part of more than £130,000 of play investment in the ward — described as the biggest play investment for any ward in the city. Pupils at Clifton Green Primary School and the local community helped design and choose the new equipment. The site sits next to Clifton Green Primary School and SEND Central (Clifton Children's Centre).
Myers: 'Clifton's children deserved better'
Councillor Myers said Crombie Avenue and Ashton Avenue play areas had been in dire need of investment for years, and only Labour's Parks Investment Fund had delivered the funding Clifton deserved.
"I'm grateful to the Executive Member, Cllr Kent, for coming to see these play areas and acknowledging that Clifton's children deserved better, and that something needed to be done.
"These play areas, including Ashton Avenue, will see a total of over £130,000 invested to create two fantastic play spaces — the biggest investment for any ward in the city.
"We're really thankful to all pupils at Clifton Green Primary School and the local community, for helping to design and choose the new Crombie Avenue play equipment. Located just next to Clifton Green Primary School and SEND Central (Clifton Children's Centre), it's a great area for a little push on the swings, a go on the slide or spin on the roundabout!"
Wells: 'It really is their park'
Councillor Margaret Wells said the redesigned space was a welcome change from a neglected corner of the ward.
"Before the park looked like a forgotten corner but now it's a welcoming space where children and adults can relax together. The children and their families decided how they wanted the park to look and what equipment they wanted and how they wanted to use the park. It's great to see so many happy faces enjoying the new equipment and space. It really is their park."
