New owl-themed playground opens at Teesside nature reserve

A new playground has just opened at RSPB Saltholme making the nature reserve more fun for everyone from babies through to teenagers, and even mams and dads. 

Around 500 local people attended the open day on Saturday, June 7th, and it is hoped the new facility will act as a long-term draw for visitors.

Installed by Touchwood Play and funded by Teesside Environmental Trust, a six-metre-high wooden Owl with an accessible slide (you can get a wheelchair up to the first platform), is the centrepiece of the new play area.

Two tiny new toddler houses complete with a slide and a fireman’s pole have also been added as well as a climbing wall, two basket swings and six new swings.

Wooden sculptures of Bittern, Lapwing and Common Tern are new too, creating an imaginative play area for this award-winning Teesside nature reserve.

Everything created is unique and crafted from sustainable and durable Robinia wood, the industry standard for high-quality play equipment.  First to try out the new play area was Robyn Turner-Flack, aged eight, from Newton Aycliffe, alongside her brother, Ben, aged 11.

RSPB Saltholme is home to Barn Owls and Short-eared Owls – the Barn Owls nest in boxes across the main lake and can be spotted from the reserve’s viewing gallery window. The reserve is alive with nature at the moment with dragonflies flitting around, Avocet chicks squelching around in the mud and Goslings waddling beside the lake.

Ruth Topping, facilities manager at RSPB Saltholme, said: “We wanted to create some totally original sculptures that help capture the children’s imagination and get them interested in nature. 

“Our giant owl and other bird sculptures will hopefully inspire them to learn more about these birds and other wildlife.

“We also wanted to offer a totally immersive experience, so children are playing within the natural environment they find here at Saltholme.  We’re thrilled with the results and the children are too! 

“With pond dipping events happening every weekend, as well as the new playground, we’re looking forward to welcoming even more families to RSPB Saltholme.”