By Cllr Jason Brock
In the current context, I know that it’s more important than ever for parents, grandparents and families to find cheap or free ways to entertain the young ones.
Playgrounds have always been an important part of that offer, which is why the Council’s investment of over £1 million in new and refurbished playgrounds across Reading has come at exactly the right time.
Over the past few years, we have embarked on the significant modernisation and refurbishment of play areas right across the town. They have included brand new playgrounds and equipment at Oxford Road Recreation Ground, Blagrave Recreation Ground, Kenavon Drive, Dover Street, Longbarn Lane Recreation Ground, Palmer Park, Arthur Newbery Park and Portman Road to name but a few.
As a Southcote Councillor, as well as the Council Leader, I was particularly delighted last week to see work get underway on Reading’s new flagship play area at Prospect Park.
Prospect is, of course, one of Reading’s destination parks and open spaces. We are therefore investing £530,000 on a brand-new flagship playground in the park, which will be located next to the recently opened Ranger Station, complete with low ropes and a quirky Reading themed mini-golf course, bringing the total spending at Prospect Park alone to just over £1 million.
Those of you who know the park well may know the challenges that the current play area has presented.
Trees in the area become unstable due to an underground spring running nearby and the current surface was not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
There was also a need to refresh the play equipment. With that in mind, we took the big decision to relocate the playground to the area opposite the pavilion – and to grasp the perfect opportunity to create something new and exciting for Reading’s children.
Because Prospect Park is a major visitor attraction for Reading, it is vital that the facilities are accessible to all children. When complete, the new play area will offer a fantastic range of great play equipment with something for children of all ages and abilities.
We worked alongside the Council’s Accessible Play Task and Finish Group to ensure the new site has been particularly designed to allow much better access to and around the area and will be as inclusive as possible – aiming to challenge, excite and inspire, as well as encourage, children of all abilities to play together.
Prospect Park now offers families great value activities at the Ranger Station, with a new café due to open in the new year. Come the summer holidays next year, once the fantastic new play area is open, the park will truly be a great destination for a family day out.
Alongside our £40 million investment in new leisure centres, sports facilities, and swimming pools, we hope the modern new facilities at Prospect Park provide Reading families with a healthy and active past time that doesn’t cost the earth to enjoy.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council, and ward member for Southcote
