YOUNG thrill seekers will love the new play structure at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, near Ringwood.

Designed by award-winning landscape architects Davies White to encourage a wide range of active play it will also capture the imagination of children of all ages.

Crocodile Crossing II is a timely addition to the Park’s play trail which now includes twelve unique sculptures and the UK’s first tree top trail. Alongside balance beams, stepping logs and an Indiana Jones style rickety bridge, it features a huge crocodile’s head with a canoe and paddle in its jaws!

“Crocodile Crossing II brings a new dimension to the play trail,” said Andrew Norris, Recreation Manager, Dorset. “The original Crocodile Crossing was much loved and we wanted to capture its spirit – but make it even better, bringing a new level of imaginative play to the Park.”

Made of slow-grown larch from local woodland and locally sourced oak, the giant crocodile’s head appears to emerge from a vast woodchip swamp, watching for movement on the forest floor with its huge beady eyes. With three ways to approach, or escape the magnificent jaws, it has been designed to encourage children of all ages, skills and abilities to play together.

For junior swashbucklers, Crocodile Crossing II could not have opened its jaws at a better time. A new film, based on the timeless tale of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan will hit the big screen this summer. “Whilst our crocodile won’t tick or bite, it will provide endless opportunities for imaginative active play,” said Andrew. “We are looking forward to welcoming pirates young and old to enjoy all the adventures on offer at Moors Valley Country Park this summer”.

Other play structures on the play trail include ‘the nest’, a six metre high grouping of giant wooden nests linked by tunnels, a ‘snake pit’ where kids can slide inside giant snakes, and even a Russian inspired musical tree house. There is also the option to divert on to the Tree Top Trail half way around the Play Trail. This is a five metre high and 200 metre long wooden walkway that takes you up amongst the trees for a great bird’s eye view.

The play trail takes about an hour to complete. Moors Valley opens every day except Christmas Day. Admission is free, parking charges apply. For more information contact the Rangers on 01425 470721 or visit www.moors-valley.co.uk.