FAMILIES in Liverpool’s Chinatown will soon have a refreshed and more welcoming place to play, with work now underway to transform the Great George Square play area.

Liverpool City Council is working with Wicksteed to install a new playground, which has been designed in collaboration with families in the area.

The new design, which is themed around the zodiac, will feature equipment suitable for children aged between 4 and 12.

There will be a variety of inclusive pieces added to the play area, including sensory play panels, swings and a wheelchair-accessible roundabout.

Dual language panels will be featured across the playground including phrases in Chinese and British Sign Language.

The play area has been designed around the Chinese idea of Anji Play, which is focused on child-led play, where children are free to choose their own level of risk and challenge when it comes to using the equipment.

The work has now started and is due to take approximately 1 month to complete.

It forms part of a wider investment project by the Council around Great George Street.

Included within the works is a ceremonial memorial garden to honour the history of the Chinese community in Liverpool. Two new traditional guardian lions, donated by the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester will also be installed later this year to celebrate. Liverpool-Shanghai sister-City’s relationship.

The Council is also working with Global Street Art on a new mural in Chinatown as part of wider Chinatown public realm improvement project.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene said:- “We know how important well-kept, varied play areas are for families and young people. The Council has invested a significant amount of funding received from new developments to upgrades play areas across the whole City. This new play area on Great George Square has been designed with the local community, for the local community. This development puts a real focus on inclusivity while giving children somewhere welcoming and exciting to play.”

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy said:- “The Chinatown area is a significant part of Liverpool’s history and identity. This work is about putting the community at the heart of regeneration, making sure that a new and modern development pays respects to the community’s unique and valued heritage.”

City Centre South ward councillor, Cllr Angela Coleman, said:- “We have been working towards this for some time and I’m very pleased with the planned upgrades to this play area. Our historic Chinatown is already a much-loved attraction and this excellent new play area will only serve to make it a better place for residents and families to visit.”

Further improvements to play areas in Everton Park will also take place next week, as part of the focus on improving playgrounds across the City. So far 7 play areas have seen significant upgrades and the council has committed to replacing all worn-out play equipment across the City as part of its budget.