Mixenden was a throng of excitement on Saturday, 21st September, as hundreds of residents came together to celebrate the grand opening of two brand new community spaces: Sunny Bank Playground and the Urban Park. Dubbed "Mixenden Party in the Parks," this action-packed activation event marked a major milestone for the area, with local partners pulling out all the stops to deliver a fun-filled day of activities for everyone.
The event was more than just a celebration – it was a symbol of positive change for the area. With free pop-up sports activities, entertainment, arts and crafts stalls, and mouth-watering refreshments, it had something for all ages to enjoy. And enjoy they did!
A Chain Reaction at Sunny Bank Playground
The excitement kicked off at 1 PM when Sunny Bank Playground was officially opened by some special guests: the local church youth group and scouts. The group had spent the week before the event creating a playful paper chain long enough to stretch around the entire playground – a fitting symbol of the community spirit. Headteacher Mungo Sheppard and Councillor Shane Taylor took to the stage to highlight the importance of these new facilities for Mixenden’s future.
The playground wasn’t the only hit – right next door, a bike giveaway from Project Colt (The Rusty Bike Shed) had residents lining up hours before the event began. In just 17 minutes, 45 children and adults pedalled away with shiny new bikes. Mechanics from Happy Days were on hand to breathe new life into old bikes, while 100 children learned to ride their bikes with the help of the Bikeability team. Even the Police got in on the action, helping to register bikes and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) were also in attendance promoting the "Walk It, Ride It" campaign.
Play Streets and Pie ‘N’ Peas
Sunny Bank Road was closed for the day, transforming into a "Play Street" where residents tested out their new bikes. Toward the bottom of the road, Ash Green Family Hub kept the kids entertained with games, and Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol even made a special appearance! Meanwhile, the Early Intervention Team within the Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue gave residents an up-close look at their vehicles and portable cave, adding to the day’s excitement.
The Addy proved popular, serving hearty portions of Pie ‘N’ Peas for the grown-ups and lunch boxes for the little ones. And no outdoor event is complete without a treat – the local ice cream van made a sweet appearance that had everyone smiling.
Fun and Games at Urban Park
Over at the Urban Park, the fun continued with a range of physical activities. Positive Impact Sports led football and archery games, while the Calderdale Explorers Basketball Club wowed the crowd with three exciting exhibition games. The court was then open to the public for some free play, and plenty of residents tried their hand at basketball.
For those feeling adventurous, Skate It Yourself set up a pop-up skate park, where families geared up with helmets to test their skills on the ramps. And for the history buffs, Active Champion Gillian led families on a new interactive "History Hike" around the park.
Alongside the courts, you could find a magic show, arts and crafts with North Halifax Partnership (NHP), face painting and artists from We Belong Here engaging with local people around a floor mural for the basketball court. And the fun didn’t stop there – organisations like Healthy Minds, Ageing Well, and Newground Together Energy Team were also on hand to provide useful information about their services to the community.
Community Pride and Positive Change
Feedback from the day was positive and residents requested more events like this, bringing everyone together to enjoy fun activities.
Well done to all who took part and brought the community together. It was a fantastic day, the park looked brilliant and inclusive for children in Mixenden. Families have some nice areas to take their children now. I like to think that there's been a breakthrough. Stuff like this is what Mixenden needs.
Mandy O'Shea - Mixenden resident
It was great to see all the kids enjoying the park but even better that some money has at last gone into the area, making it a better safer environment for the children, it has been a long time coming.
Christina - Mixenden resident
Nothing like this has happened in a very long time and you can see by the turnout that it’s massive for us. It’s such a good community and we all stick together. And I think this event shows that because everybody's turned out for it.
Shannon - Dodge Holme resident
It was an amazing day, with so many fun things going on and very well organised. Highly beneficial from a Healthy Minds perspective for chatting with the community and gaining knowledge of what they would like.
Paula - Healthy Minds
The day’s activities were not only fun but also marked an important investment in Mixenden’s future. Ben Lee, coach for the Calderdale Explorers, praised the new basketball court, calling it "the best outdoor playing surface in the Halifax area by a mile."
A Brighter Future for Mixenden
The refurbished playground is part of the Ash Green Community Streets project, partly funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Government’s Active Travel Fund. In addition to the playground, new raised crossings and wider pavements are being created to make the area safer for walking, cycling, and wheeling. These improvements are set to be completed by the end of October, making it easier and safer for children to get to school and encouraging more active travel in the area.
In short, the Mixenden Party in the Parks signalled the start of something special for the community. A day of fun, connection, and pride in the area’s future!