Kids in Falmouth are gearing up for some climbing, balancing, swinging and sliding thanks to the grand opening of the new play area in Kimberley Park.

Falmouth Town Council and the Kimberley Park Association have announced that the new play area will be opening at 10 am on Saturday, December 22.

Janey Davis from the Kimberley Park Association said: “The association is really excited about the gates to the new play area finally opening. The amount of effort and support that the community has given this project has been incredible. We believe this is a really special park, and the new play area will ensure that families can now relax and have fun in beautiful surroundings while their children explore the exciting new play equipment. Some really special features are the bespoke ‘mini-docks’ in the sand play area, and the challenging trim trail.

“There are further additions planned for the spring, when the three Automata will be installed in time for the Spring Party to celebrate the opening of the new play area. It will be great to see all the planting brought to life in the warmer weather as the plants become established.

“We'd like to extend a big thank you to everyone that has been involved in and funded this project, Community Spaces Funding, Groundwork South, Falmouth Town Council, Cory Environmental Trust, Britvic, A&P , The Falmouth Town Marching Carnival, The Star & Garter, and everyone that got involved in any of our fund raising events. It's great to see our ambitions realised, over four years ago I don't think any of us envisaged such an amazing outcome. We cannot wait to see children in there having fun.”

The project was designed by landscape architect James Brown, who said "The aim was to create a play-space that was fun, interesting, engaging and attractive within an historic and beautiful park. The design references Falmouth’s nautical past and artistic character together with Cornwall’s myths and rugged landscape.

“The play area combines natural materials such as wood, sand, and stone, with imaginative, timber play structures, bold planting, and curvaceous earth forms.”

Features at the new play area will include a spiral sensory trail, a serpentine pathway leading to a central compass with sculptures and mosaics, a miniature willow woodland, and a variety of climbing, balancing, swinging and sliding activities, with plenty of places to sit, meet and enjoy the park.

The play area was constructed by Earth Wrights Ltd from Buckfastleigh.