Daisy Nook Country Park: Oldham Council to remove play boat

Wear and tear have taken hold of the large wooden play boat, with the local authority stating the wood has become too damaged for youngsters to play on.

The play area was closed off to the public on Thursday (July, 21) as a result.

Barriers and red tape prevented children from approaching the giant boat.

Oldham Council said the removal is necessary because “years of play have taken a toll and the wood is damaged”.

It said it “anticipated this day would come” but hopes to find funding in the future to replace the boat.

However, locals are not happy about the move as parents flocked to comment on the post on Facebook.

The boat is being removed.

One woman said: “Why hasn’t it been maintained?

"It’s the beginning of the school holidays and with the cost of living crisis, many local families come to Daisy Nook as a free day out.”

Another parent added: “This boat needs to live.

"A brew, an ice cream or a bit of food and sit at the boat – it’s highly popular. There was never not a child on it.

"My kids would play for three/four hours on this boat.”

Another comment reads: “I really think this decision needs to be opposed and an alternative sought to repair and keep the boat.

"There is nothing like this anywhere else in Oldham.

"It will have a massive impact on the café as the location of the other park isn’t as convenient.”

Others reiterated that they were “disappointed” with what appears to be ill-timing of the removal now that children have broken up from school for the summer holidays.

In a post online, Oldham Council said: “We are removing the play boat at Daisy Nook Country Park as years of play have taken a toll and the wood is damaged.

“We anticipated this day would come, which is why we have improved the play area further in the park. In the future, we will look for funding to replace it.”

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “We know how much families love the wooden play boat at Daisy Nook Country Park.

"It’s been a great addition to the park for many years.

“Oldham has more than 23 amazing parks and 79 other equipped play sites for families to enjoy and I’m proud of our team that maintain the parks all year round.

“The boat was originally put in as part of Play Builder grant funding 13 years ago.

"Recently the wood has been suffering from rot and we have tried to repair and maintain it over time as best as we can.

“Although we would love to keep the boat as a feature, the safety of our young residents has to come first – especially with the summer holiday starting and more children expected to play on the structure.

"We hope residents understand.

“The space will be kept as a sand pit and we will look at finding funding to rebuild it in the future.

“I hope residents join us in one of Oldham’s parks for #LoveParksWeek which runs from Saturday, July 29 to August 5.

"The Oldham Council website has a full list of our amazing parks and green spaces.”