Adventurous children from across the borough are jumping for joy, with £72,000 of new play equipment currently being installed at Dudley Council’s Mary Stevens Park.

A brand new assault course, ability swing for wheelchair users and a zip wire opened at the park yesterday as part of the project, which is being led by The Friends of Mary Stevens Park.

Following extensive fundraising and consultation from the Friends group, other new equipment is also to be installed at the popular Stourbridge park this year. Work will see additional swings, which people who visit the park have asked for, and will offer a wider range of play experiences for babies, toddlers and older children as well as those who have physical and sensory impairments.

It is hoped the project will help to meet visitor demand, with the small play area currently offered in the park struggling to cater for the one million visits made to the park every year. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said:

"Mary Stevens Park is very popular with families from across the borough and beyond and it attracts over one million visitors every year.

"I know everyone has worked really hard over a long period to achieve this and my thanks go to all the volunteers and members of the Friends group who have made it possible.

"The new play equipment will be a welcome addition to our park, a source of great enjoyment for children and families who love spending time at the park, and with the inclusive equipment also being added it will make sure there is something for everyone."