The winning design for a playground costing half a million pounds has been revealed by Reading Borough Council.

With 55 per cent of the vote, HAGS UK was chosen to update Prospect Park with swings, a zipwire, climbing frames and more.

As part of the work there are plans to create a pedestrian access path from the car park to the play area, with a new pedestrian crossing.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading Borough Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward said: “I want to thank everyone who participated in this consultation. The winning design offers a fantastic range of great play equipment with something for children of all ages and abilities.

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“This £530,000 investment reflects the importance of Prospect Park to Reading: it is one of the town’s destination parks and improving play facilities and access is a key priority for the Council. Work will begin in the autumn and complete in time for the school holidays next year."

The new play area will include:

  • Themed zones, including quiet play areas and activity panels
  • Roundabouts, swings and a zipwire
  • Two large climbing towers with a tunnel slide and access ramp incorporated into the unit
  • Ground-level roundabout, braille panels, lower-level inclusive play net, accessible see-saw, tactile panels, ground-level games, and a large accessible springer

This project comes alongside a £500k multi-use activity centre in part of the pavilion building in the park, including a mini-golf centre that opened in June.

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Work on the new play area will start in the autumn this year and the play area will be open for the summer holidays in 2023.

Cllr Barnett-Ward added: “The existing play area is still open and will remain so until the new playground is ready. Families are already enjoying our newly-opened Reading-themed mini-golf course, and our family-friendly adventure hub, The Ranger Station, is due to open at Prospect Park Pavilion very soon.

The Ranger Station will offer a low ropes activity for younger children and a café with an accessible toilet and Changing Places facility, making Prospect Park the perfect destination for a family day out this summer”