Have your say on new play area design in Reading

Reading Borough Council has invited neighbours to help it choose the design for a new play area at Waterloo Meadows in Katesgrove, situated near the River Kennet.

Four designs for what the play area could look like have been shortlisted, with families being asked to vote for their favourite one.

The new play area would also have a surface to help children with mobility issues to use the park, with £200,000 being earmarked for the improvements.

Adele Barnett-Ward (Labour, Thames), lead councillor for leisure and culture, said: “Outdoor play is vital for children’s health and wellbeing so investment in improved play facilities is money well spent.

“Waterloo Meadows is beautiful and well-loved but the play area is ageing. I am delighted we are delivering this significant financial investment so that Waterloo Meadows can have a play area to be proud of.

READ MORE: Park at the bottom of Reading benefits from new basketball court and play area

“I am encouraging parents, carers and our young local residents to please take the time to view these fabulous designs and let us know which one they would most enjoy.

“Everyone deserves a place to play so we will also be consulting with our Accessible Play Task and Finish Group to ensure the new play area provides access for children and carers of all abilities.”

You can view designs and vote for your favourite on the Consult Reading website.

The play area is currently made up of play equipment and a tarmac basketball court.

Option A would see a multi-play climbing frame, swings, sensory play, climbing equipment and a wheelchair-accessible spinning unit being added.

A CGI of what the Waterloo Meadows play area in Katesgrove could look like as part of a Reading council consultation into improvements. This is Option A. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Option B centres on a play ship for children to explore, with an ocean-themed wetpour and a double-arched climbing frame also being featured.

A CGI of what the Waterloo Meadows play area in Katesgrove could look like as part of a Reading council consultation into improvements. This is Option B. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Option C retains the basketball court and adds three swing features, a climbing frame and more traditional play equipment.

A CGI of what the Waterloo Meadows play area in Katesgrove could look like as part of a Reading council consultation into improvements. This is Option C. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Finally, Option D would have climbing frames, swings, a wheelchair-accessible spinning unit and more.

A CGI of what the Waterloo Meadows play area in Katesgrove could look like as part of a Reading council consultation into improvements. This is Option D. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Once the consultation is completed the results will form part of the decision on the winning design, which will also include consultation with the Reading Access and Disabilities Working Group and assessments on value for money and technical competency.

The winning design will be announced in November 2023 and work will start in Spring 2024.

The project for a new play area at Waterloo Meadows comes as the Reading Green Party has been pushing for improvements since 2021.

At the time, campaigner Louise Keane said the play area was in “an awful state of repair.”

To address those concerns, cllr Liam Challenger (Labour, Katesgrove) was successfully able to secure funding which saw the basketball court being established and a zip wire added to the park. 

Recently, Kate Nikulina, a Green Party campaigner said: “Greens have long pressed for improvements to the Waterloo Meadows play area.

“The playground surface is unsafe and the equipment is ageing. We welcome the designs and urge young people to have their say.”