MADE-WELL’S new inclusive play area near Hatherleigh is proving popular since opening just in time for the summer holidays.

The new play area, built using £25,000 from a government fund for community pocket parks, is designed specifically for people of all ages with limited mobility.

Its attractions include a team swing seat, a gravity bowl — in which children can spin around safely — and an accessible slide and climbing frame.

The groundworks have been undertaken by Made-Well itself — a not-for profit organisation which provides meaningful activities for people with all kinds of disabilities — and the people who attend Made-Well each day have constructed an already popular mud kitchen.

Laura Feaver from the organisation said the new play park had already been very busy.

‘It is intended for everybody,’ she said. ‘It is open to the public and we have tried to make it suitable for a range of ages. We have got things for the little ones and we have got the team swing seat which even adults can use. It has the usual swing frame but is easier to get into, with a big wide circle you can sit in and which a few people can use at any one time.

‘We have had lots of visitors come and use it already, and we’ve got picnic benches and you can see the animals and it is right next to the chickens and ducks with really scenic views. We are really pleased it it.’

The farm at Made-Well has many facilities which can be enjoyed by others, including a cafe, plants and vegetables and friendly animals to meet.

Its new play park is intended as a draw for both locals and tourists.

The next move is to fundraise to add a roundabout which can be used by people in wheelchairs – known as an Inclusive Orbit – which will cost an additional £15,000.

Made-Well trustee Dennis Bater, who officially opened the facility on July 20, said he was very impressed by the play park.

‘There are people in Hatherleigh even who have never been up to Made-Well and don’t know what is going on up here. I’m encouraging them to come up see just what is going on here. It’s fantastic.’

The park has been largely funded by a grant for £25,000 made by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government in January as part of an initiative to create pocket parks for communities.