KELSALL’S £65,000 toddlers play area has been officially opened.

The Kelsall Green project provides recreational and play facilities for the village’s children and teenagers and includes easy access equipment for youngsters of all abilities.

This stage of the project represents the end of 30 years campaigning by the parish council and its partners.

The original application to buy the land, on Chester Road behind the Morris Dancer pub, was submitted in 1977 and this week the dream of installing a focal point for Kelsall’s younger generation has been realised.

The play area was opened on Tuesday by the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Chester, who were joined by Kelsall Green committee members, Chester City Council officers, villagers and 30 excited children.

John Leather, chairman of Kelsall Parish Council, said: “The great thing about this is that it engenders community spirit and creates great enthusiasm.

“It’s taken us 30 years in total but it will be a lasting legacy which we shall build upon. It’s been a long haul but it has been work well worth doing.”

The parish council is now appealing for help with funding for development work of the multi-use games area (MUGA) which will provide sporting facilities for local teenagers.

About £7,500 is needed for levelling the ground while an additional £9,000 is needed for tamacing and installation.

Fundraising coordinator Tara Edelman said: “We are trying to obtain grants but will certainly welcome funding from those who think they can help.

“The teenagers in the village applied for a grant before the parish council bought the land last year. And having won that grant they decided they wanted a MUGA to be built as a long lasting legacy of their time spent in the village.”

If you would like to help fund the Kelsall Green project, call Tara Edelman on 01829 752720.

To view more pictures of the Kelsall Green project, visit www.kelsall.org.uk.