New play area design revealed for Reading park
The play area design was chosen by public vote
Last updated 7th Jul 2022
Reading Council has announced the winning design for its new half-a-million pound playground in Prospect Park.
Following community consultation, and feedback from the Council’s Access Disability Group, the design from HAGS has been selected as the winner with nearly 55% of the overall vote.
The new playground at Prospect Park forms part of the Council’s overall £1 million investment in new playgrounds and playground equipment across Reading for children and families to enjoy.
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.
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.
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, 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.
“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."
This project is just one aspect of the investment being made within Prospect Park, including a £500k multi-use activity centre in part of the pavilion building. The mini-golf at the centre opened in June, with the other facilities – including indoor Sky Tykes low ropes for young children and a café - opening later this summer.
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.
Once the new play area is open the second phase will be to remove the existing play area and reinstate the area back to informal grass parkland.
Find out more about the Ranger Station and mini-golf here: www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/active-reading