CHILDREN are jumping for joy after a new nautical themed £178,000 play park was launched in Newquay on Friday morning (April 11).

Families descended on Trenance Play Park, which now includes a Pinta play ship, an integrated carousel, a swinging play zone with two toddler seats and two flat seats.

There is also a stand-up seesaw, a Mary toddler play ship, a slide, whale climbing unit, dolphin play panel, an underwater diver play panel as well as accessible picnic benches.

The upgraded play park is a lot safer as an all-weather surface has been included. The inclusion of accessible play equipment has also been a big hit.

The whale climbing frame has been popular (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Parent Sophie Lawrence said: “The new play park is great. Both my children love it. I think the park is good for both my children’s ages. My eldest is six and my youngest is three.”

Nikita Leivers, who was enjoying the park, added: “The new play park looks fresh. It is a lot better than the older park. I feel the nautical theme really fits with Newquay.”

Parent Edith Rich and her children love the nautical theme (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Parent Edith Rich said: “I think it’s a lovely new play park. It is nice to have new play equipment but also the park feels a lot safer.

“The children are really impressed with the nautical theme as their grandfather is Newquay artist Steve Camps who is well-known for his whale paintings.”

Daughter Darcy said: “The new park is fantastic. Especially the swings.”

Richard Curtis, the owner of the adjacent Little Western Railway, said: “It is lovely to see the park busy and whole families playing together because that is what is happening now the play equipment is spread out more.

“There is room now for people with push chairs and wheelchairs and not be in the way.

“Parents and grandparents are now actually playing. Before it was more leave them to it because of the lack of space between the play equipment.”

“One thing that has warmed my heart was seeing a family that has got a child in a wheelchair, and they managed to put them on the standup see-saw and roundabout.

“Other children were included in the play. I have never seen that down here before, so the provision of accessible play equipment is a wonderful inclusion.”