Worthington Road Play Park Update
Published: 31 July 2026
🎉🌳 The Wait is Over... Worthington Road Play Park is Officially Open! 🌳🎉
Friday 17th July marked a very special day for Fradley as we officially opened the brand new Worthington Road and Barlow Drive Play Park, just in time for the summer holidays! ☀️
This project has been a true partnership, and we're incredibly proud of what has been achieved together. The refurbishment has been delivered through the collaborative efforts of Fradley Parish Council, Lichfield District Council, Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS) and Creative Play, creating an exciting new play space that local children, families and future generations can enjoy for many years to come.
Projects like this don't happen overnight. They take vision, determination, teamwork and plenty of hard work behind the scenes. Funding from both Fradley Parish Council and Lichfield District Council made this refurbishment possible, with LWMTS expertly managing the project from start to finish and Creative Play bringing the exciting new designs to life.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved for their professionalism, support and commitment throughout the project. It has been a fantastic example of organisations working together to deliver something truly special for our community.
A special mention must also go to District and Ward Councillor Derick Cross, who worked tirelessly to secure funding for Fradley and shared the Parish Council's vision of transforming both Worthington Road and Barlow Drive Play Parks into modern, inclusive community spaces. His dedication and support have been instrumental throughout this project, and it was only fitting that he officially opened the park.
The new play facilities have been thoughtfully designed to offer something for everyone. Both parks include exciting new equipment, with a dedicated inclusive play area featuring equipment suitable for wheelchair users, helping to ensure that as many children as possible can enjoy these fantastic community spaces. Barlow Drive Play Park has been designed with our younger residents in mind, providing a fun and safe environment for toddlers through to around six years old, while Worthington Road Play Park offers more adventurous equipment aimed at older children and teenagers.
You'll also spot a very special feature woven into the design. The bespoke aircraft-themed play equipment celebrates Fradley's rich history as the former home of RAF Lichfield. We wanted the new play parks not only to provide places for children to play, but also to reflect the unique heritage of our village, giving both new and long-standing residents a reminder of the important role Fradley has played over the years.
We've already received some wonderful feedback from residents, and it's been fantastic to see so many smiling faces enjoying the new equipment. Of course, as with any project of this size, there have been challenges along the way, and there are still a few finishing touches and improvements to come over the coming weeks. However, we're incredibly proud of what has been achieved together and hope this play park becomes a place where friendships are made, imaginations run wild, and happy memories are created for years to come.