The Curraghs Wildlife Park will officially open the newest attraction and launch its summer events programme on Thursday 24th July.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, will open the new Enchanted Wood play area and launch the ‘Thursdays Have The Extra Factor’ events programme.
The Enchanted Wood was designed and built by Enchanted Creations, which is based in Buckinghamshire. The play area includes four unique pieces of wooden play equipment, including an Enchanted Tree House with a slide, suitable for kids up to around the age of 12. Younger children can enjoy a double tree house with bridges and slides. The Hobbit Hole playhouse is suitable for toddlers. A bird’s nest swing will give enjoyment to all ages.
The Minister said: “I am delighted to be opening the new Enchanted Wood play area. The Wildlife Park management was committed to involving as many local companies as it could in the project and the Department is grateful for their enthusiasm. Some wood carvings were supplied by local sculptor Nick Barlow. Benches and seating have been supplied by Wood Works Isle of Man. Groundcare used their expertise to prepare the area beforehand and complete the landscaping once the installations were in place. The St John’s Sawmill provided wood and bark to use in the landscaping. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the Enchanted Wood play area looks amazing and is completely unique to the Island.”
Brad Smith, Director of Enchanted Creations, said: “We are really excited to bring this innovative wooden play area to the Isle of Man. This is our first visit to the Island which is fantastic, with a great Wildlife Park in which to install our tree house play equipment. Every project we do is unique and our equipment is custom-made to fit with the area. We have enjoyed working alongside local businesses to bring it all together with the ‘Enchanted’ theme.”
Kathleen Graham, General Manager of the Curraghs Wildlife Park, said: “Staff, visiting adults and children alike have been really excited seeing it being built over the last few weeks. The tree houses and hobbit house from Enchanted Creations are impressive and will excite the children’s imaginations.
“We hope many children will join in the enchanted spirit of the day by coming dressed as fairies or wizards and the best costume will win a year’s membership for a family of four. If an existing member wins their membership will be extended for 12 months.
“Visitors will be able to carve their hand prints on an old wooden railway sleeper with expert guidance from Gavin Carter, from Wood Works Isle of Man, which will then be proudly displayed in the Enchanted Wood. With reed-making, face-painting and a display of wood carvings, there will be lots of enchanted themed activities to enjoy as we launch our ‘Thursdays Have The Extra Factor’ summer series.”
Each Thursday throughout the school summer holidays will be a themed day full of entertaining activities alongside the regular talks and animal encounters that take place every day during the summer. Extra Factor days include Train Day (31st July), Children’s Fun Day (7th August), Craft Day (14th August) and Teddy Bear’s Picnic in the Park on 21st August. The park is currently open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm, with last entry an hour before closing time.
All tickets, which are not date specific, and memberships can now be purchased online in advance via www.curraghswidlifepark.com. A family ticket costs ?24, admits two adults and two children at a time and date to suit them.
Photo - three of the Enchanted Creations installations.
