EXCITED youngsters put new play equipment through its paces at the grand opening of a revamped park.

About 50 children made light of the bad weather and had fun when gates at the Rose Avenue park project, in Tolladine, Worcester, opened for the first time on Friday afternoon.

They clambered over the zig-zag walkers, striding stilt walk and scramble climbers and took turns on the slide during the Easter-themed event.

Youngsters also enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, admired primroses planted in community flowerbeds and had a chance to meet Cosy Colin the tortoise, contractor Keepmoat’s mascot.

Mark Bell, property investment manager at Worcester Community Housing, said it was lovely to see the youngsters enjoying the park.

“The site was just too small for that kind of park [aimed at teenagers] and there are other similar facilities close by,” he said.

“Customers had told us there was little in the area for younger children so it was particularly great to see the equipment being used by that age range.

“Obviously, it is still a small site but I think the play equipment has made the best use of it.”

Previously, the site featured a basketball court and youth den, which had attracted anti-social behaviour.

WCH tenants, residents and the housing association worked together to formulate a plan to transform the site into the natural play area.

The Rose Avenue park is one of three projects which have been completed by WCH to help transform Tolladine.

It has worked with residents to extend gardens on to a former anti-social behaviour black spot at the back of Maple Avenue and Portefields Road. And flats in Lilac Avenue and Rose Avenue are enjoying new recreational areas, waste and recycling facilities, grassed areas, fencing, railings and security gates.