Kids can go wild in Stanley Park

For Stanley Park is now geared up to host adventure activities ranging from kayaking to canoeing and raft building.

Events start this weekend, and continue for the following two weekends in April as a precursor to more outdoor activities in the park aimed at children aged between eight and 16.

It comes after the council was recently approved to hold an Adventure Activities Licence.

The two year licence allows the council to operate water activities on Stanley Park lake aimed at young people, adults and families, as well as working with primary and secondary schools to help pupils develop new outdoor and teamwork skills.

At the same time, Kids Go Wild sessions will be held in the school holidays to enable children aged from two to 11 years old to learn in an outside environment by carrying out den building activities, bug hunting and outside arts and crafts.

From May, more regular sessions will begin to take place throughout the week.

Coun Maria Kirkland, cabinet member for leisure at Blackpool Council, said: “This will massively increase the variety of fun, family friendly outdoor activities that we can now run in Stanley Park.

“Not only are canoeing, kayaking and raft building great fun for all the family but they also teach important skills around water safety and team building, which will help people as they grow up.

“The water sport activities also add to the new Blackpool High Ropes course, which is already proving popular as we expand the way that we use the fantastic resource that is Stanley Park.

“This Easter is the perfect time for people to come along and try and the new activities, but places are limited to so people should book soon before they all sell out.”

More information and dates for the sessions can be found at www.blackpool.gov.uk/sport and spaces can be booked in advance at Blackpool Sports Centre or by calling 478474.