New play area opens in Oldham 2025

Oldham town centre now has a new public play space where children can clamber over rocks, spin on a boulder and set dance chimes ringing while parents watch from benches among new planting. The council says the spot, paid for by the Mayor's Challenge Fund and United Utilities, is the latest piece of the long-running regeneration plan to bring families back into the middle of town.

Designers Rowan Ashworth and Planit threaded the equipment into the existing paving so it feels like an open square rather than a fenced-off playground. A set of whirling bobbins turns in the breeze as a nod to the town's textile mills, while timber stepping stones and rough boulders give children a chance to test balance and grip on natural surfaces.

Safety audits were carried out at every stage, with engineers choosing low-level equipment for toddlers and tougher challenges for older children. All items meet national playground standards, and sight-lines have been kept clear so adults can supervise without standing inside the zone.

Council leader Arooj Shah visited the site with the build team and said the reaction so far reminded her of the popularity of the old space it replaces. She expects the mix of swings, slide, jumping discs and mini-roundabout to draw grandparents, after-school groups and weekend shoppers alike.

No closing time or age limit has been posted; the area is lit by existing street lighting and is intended for drop-in use whenever the town centre is open.