WIBSEY Park has been transformed into a hive of activity, with an arts venue opening in its grounds alongside an exciting project for young people.
The Beacon, a portable hub that will travel to different Bradford parks and host arts, theatre, and music events, opened in Wibsey on Thursday and will be in place until May 5.
The versatile venue can be built and rebuilt anywhere and forms part of Bradford's year as City of Culture.
It will be at Bowling Park from May 22 to June 22, Cliffe Castle Park in Keighley from July 10 to August 10, and Lister Park from August 28 to September 28.
The Great Adventure Build, part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s PLAY programme, also opened on Thursday at Wibsey Park.
After two days of youngsters from schools and other settings taking part, the project will be open to the public from Saturday, April 5, until Wednesday, April 9.
The project will see children channel their creativity to design, create, and then play on the structure they dream up.
Parents will be encouraged to let young people lead, and children from the age of four and upwards will be guided in using tools including hammers, saws, nails, and a truckload of wood.
Children can add to the evolving structure, supported by the on-site teams, or build something of their own, or they can simply have fun playing on the structure.
Bradford 2025’s PLAY programme aims to ignite the imagination of young people, encouraging people of all ages to celebrate creativity and the joy of playing.
The Great Adventure Build will return in the summer holidays for young people to enjoy in Ladyhill Park, Allerton, from August 11 to 17.
Rhiannon Hannon, director of creative engagement and participation at Bradford 2025, said: “The Great Adventure Build is an exciting project that we’re proud to be bringing to Wibsey Park this month.
“It’s such a unique project that puts the children in charge and allows them to play, build, and create the way they want to.
“The Great Adventure Build is one of the many ways that Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is creating environments where children can rediscover the joy of playing, learn about the district’s’ history of play and most importantly, have fun.”
Tickets are free and can be reserved on the Bradford 2025 website.
To find out more about what’s on at The Beacon, visit bradford2025.co.uk/programme/the-beacon
