A well-known postman, affectionately known as 'Postie Mike', has cut the ribbon at a new £500,000 play area in Bricket Wood.

Internet content creator Mike Izzard was on hand earlier this month for the grand opening of the revamped Woodbury Field play area.

New facilities unveiled include a ninja warrior course, ball games area, adult gym equipment and a pump track for BMX bikes.

Olivia Paradise, Shelia Thompson, and Debbie Paradise enjoying ice cream provided by Linden Homes.Olivia Paradise, Shelia Thompson, and Debbie Paradise enjoying ice cream provided by Linden Homes. (Image: Linden Homes)

Suggested reading:

• 5 Harpenden schools receive 'outstanding' Ofsted rating in 2024

• What we learned from the St Albans election hustings

• Steve Coogan visits St Albans and takes trip to River Ver

The launch day saw visitors were treated to live music, hot dogs and an ice cream van.

The upgrade comes after a cash injection from Linden Homes and Crest Nicholson, which are both working on housing developments in the village.

Residents visiting the newly opened parkResidents visiting the newly opened park (Image: Linden Homes)

David Yates, chair of St Stephen Parish Council, said: “This is a tremendous achievement. A few years ago, people were commenting on Facebook that Woodbury Field was a depressing and boggy place to take your children to play.

“We had a fantastic response to our efforts to find out what people wanted to see here, and I hope we have met or exceeded people’s expectations.

"As well as the contributions from Linden Homes and Crest Nicholson, delivering this transformation has involved a great deal of work by the whole parish team and I hope people will agree that it has been worth it.”

Verity MacMahon, managing director of Vistry Central Home Counties, said: “As part of the planning agreement for Hanstead Park, Linden Homes has contributed £250,000 towards the provision of a host of new equipment at Woodbury Field play area, which is less than a mile away from our new development.

Linden Homes provided an ice cream vans for guests.Linden Homes provided an ice cream vans for guests. (Image: Linden Homes)

“It was great that so many villagers turned up for the official opening of the refurbished play area and lovely to see the local Girl Guides group selling hot dogs to raise money for charity. All in all, it was fantastic family-orientated event which brought the whole community together. 

“The revamped play area is a wonderful new facility which can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. The £250,000 we paid towards the creation of this new play area was just part of almost £1.68 million in funding we have provided to help improve local services and facilities for the benefit of new residents and the wider community.”