YOUNGSTERS in Gweek are set to get their very own exotic play park in the heart of the village, which has been created from driftwood by a local artist.
The park's centrepiece will consist of a giant upturned four-tonne driftwood oak tree, with swings, scramble nets and a slide attached.
The idea is the brainchild of Steve Green, a functional artist from Cornwall, who is donating the piece to the children of the village as part of the launch of his new business, Little Tree People. He said: "There are about 60 families in Geek with young children and they have never had a play park. We are donating this to the village as an example of my work.
"I have been working with driftwood all my life and have always strived to create art with a practical function."
Mr Green traverses the coastline gathering driftwood in his trusty canoe, Bert. "I first spotted this piece of wood when paddling around the coast in Bert. I knew there and then that I had to get it but unfortunately Bert and I weren't going to be able to do this on our own."
Yacht
He went on to spend the next two years planning how to get the huge tree back to his workshop, and getting planning permission to 'plant' it.
The tree was two miles from the nearest road, but eventually, he returned on his floating home, a 100-year-old yacht.
He sailed the yacht close into the shore and at high tide dragged the tree out to deeper water and loaded the tree onto his trailer to take back to the workshop.
Groundwork is currently under way, and the tree will be 'planted' with a special ceremony.
Mr Green has created a range of projects using driftwood, including tree houses and garden installations. He is hoping the play park will inspire the children.
He said: "An oak tree is symbolic of Britain's natural beauty. I want the next generation to learn to love the world around them and to respect nature. Trees are beautiful things and I hope this project will encourage people to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of our forests and woodlands."
