Neighbours have called for the ‘dilapidated and tired’ play area at their park in Tilehurst to be upgraded.
Residents have been campaigning for improvements to the play area at the Meadway Recreation Ground, accessed from Church End Lane in Tilehurst.
A neighbour recently presented a petition to Reading Borough Council requesting that a refurbishment of the play area be treated as a high priority, following strong support from the community and Liberal Democrat councillors.
Chloe Kidd, who presented the petition to the council, said: “Parks across Reading have been refurbished to a very high standard, but what about our park, that is currently dilapidated and tired?
“The play area is a crucial space that serves five local schools, including two for children with special educational needs (SEN).
“The current state of neglect is unacceptable. Our children need a safe and engaging place to play and thrive.
“As a parent and a past teacher, I believe in championing play parks.”
She added that play areas are inclusive to families who may not have garden spaces and that any investment would provide great social value to school pupils and families alike.
An answer to the petition was given by Adele Barnett-Ward, lead councillor for leisure, during the meeting on Tuesday, October 14.
She pointed out that the council manages over 80 parks and open spaces, and upgrades have been successful at the Victoria, Westfield, Emmer Green and Oxford Road recreation grounds.
Cllr Barnett-Ward (Labour, Thames) said: “This council has invested over £1.7m in playground equipment since April 2024, with a number of schemes already delivered and the remainder underway and expected to be completed this financial year.
“I am pleased to be able to confirm that we have already identified Meadway Play Area as a high priority for refurbishment, but I am not currently able to give any guarantees on timescale as council officers need to identify and secure £350,000 of eligible funding before the project can go ahead.”
Following the meeting, Mrs Kidd said: “We are thrilled the council has finally made a commitment to refurbishing Meadway Park.
“Now we must ensure that the council secures funding, so that improvements can take place in a timely manner.”
Liberal Democrat councillors have pledged to keep up the pressure to make sure this commitment leads to real improvements for local families.
Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “This is a great result for residents who have worked hard to get Meadway Rec taken seriously.
“We’ll keep holding the council to its word until the play area is properly refurbished and the community can enjoy the park it deserves.”
A spokesman for Reading Borough Council said: “We are creating a fantastic theatre space to add to the existing cultural offer in the town, which we value greatly.
“Complementing the live arts scene will benefit Reading residents and the wider Thames Valley-the Hexagon and the Studio Theatre will bring tours and shows to Reading and will also be at the heart of a new development of the Minster Quarter.”
They explained: “The Studio Theatre is part-funded by the UK Government under the Levelling Up Fund scheme.
“The Council put together a compelling bid to the then Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which included a detailed economic case, demonstrating the return on investment to the local economy, as well as the evidence of need.
“This included a commitment for 30 per cent community programming.
“The Council has a strong track record of collaborating and working with the local cultural sector to secure investment as well as delivering common goals.
“This includes an award-winning partnership between Reading Museum and Museum of English Rural Life reaching over 100,000 visitors annually, and facilitating the Cultural Education Partnership bringing together partners from across the cultural sector including CultureMix Arts, Reading Rep and Readipop to work with schools and education providers to improve the cultural education of young people in Reading.”
They added: “The Council has also used its UK Shared Prosperity Funding to provide grants to creative organisations such as Progress Theatre, Reading Rep, and Rabble, working with Reading’s communities to support their creative initiatives, tackle local challenges and deliver activities.
“Reading Borough Council delivers free festivals including Water Fest and Children’s Festival leveraging in funding to showcase creative organisations like Jelly to a broad audience.
“Reading Arts and Venues have been managed by the Council for many years and when complete, the Studio Theatre will be added to the portfolio under the Council’s ownership and management.”
