Celebrations are afoot as a £102,000 upgrade works have been completed at a playground not far from new build homes in Reading.
Families in the Kings Mead development and homes along Kennet Walk can now benefit from a new look playground after major investment at the site.
The playground now has a mix of play facilities including equipment accessible to all abilities.
It has also been enlarged and benefits from new multi-units for children of all ages, a combination swing, play panels and a seesaw.
There is also new surfacing and floor graphics.
The opening of the playground was attended by children and staff at the Dingley’s Promise nursery.
Dingley’s Promise Reading centre manager Louise White said: “We have been thrilled to see the beautiful play park opposite our nursery take shape over recent months.
“The park provides a safe space for many of our children to enjoy and explore outside of our nursery garden, providing a change of scenery and the opportunity to work with our children to improve their physical development.
“It has brightened up the local area and is sure to bring happiness to many local families and visitors.
“We have also been extremely grateful to have been consulted regarding potential additions to the park which may best suit the needs of our children, who have a wide range of educational needs and physical disabilities.”
READ MORE: How Reading council is spending £4.5 million of developer contributions
The £102,000 funding for the upgrades came from developer contributions as a condition when the Kings Mead development was approved.
The development by Bloor Homes is made up of a series of apartments and homes stretching along Kennet Walk, Robert Parker Drive and Oscar Wilde Road.
The playground is also not far from the huge 765 home Huntley Wharf development, which people are beginning to occupy.
Huntley Wharf is less than a 10-minute walk away from the playground.
The design and construction of the playground was undertaken by contractors Kompan UK with oversight from Reading Borough Council and its partners.
Adele Barnet-Ward (Labour, Thames) lead councillor for leisure, said: “I’m delighted to see this much-loved community facility now open and it was a delight to see how much the children from Dingley’s Promise Reading Nursery enjoyed the new play facilities during our visit.
“This is an exciting portion of the overall vision for the site and it has delivered a play area that can be enjoyed by local neighbourhood children for years to come.
“The provision of high-quality equipment that is as accessible as possible for all children and their carers remains a key priority for us.
“I am therefore delighted that our Accessible Play Task and Finish Group and Dingley staff contributed their thoughts to the play area to ensure that even Reading’s neighbourhood playgrounds are providing accessible opportunities for all.
“Thank you to everyone who took part in the public vote for the play area design – I hope you all enjoy the results!”
The playground was opened on Thursday, September 15.
More improvements are planned for the area as well.
A ball court is due to be remarked, and more developer contribution funds will be invested in planting and enhancements along the river which is due to begin in mid-October.
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