Reading's largest park receives activity centre boost
The go ahead has been given for a half a million pound children's play area and activity centre
PLANS for a new play hub and activity centre in Reading's largest park have been given the go ahead.
The council say they'll invest over £500k to build a new play hub and activity centre in part of the pavilion building at Prospect Park.
Work is now anticipated to begin on site towards the end of the year with the aim of opening in spring 2022.
However first a solution has to be found for moving the covid testing clinic which is currently on the site.
The new facilities will include:
accessible outdoor family adventure 9-hole mini-golf;
an indoor ‘Sky Tykes’ low ropes course for younger children age 7 and under;
a café facility with indoor and outdoor seating;
new toilet facilities (including an accessible Changing Places facility);
multi-function room for parties, meetings and teaching, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or excluded from mainstream education;
an outdoor education area that will also support Reading Play’s educational outreach work which includes using play as a tool to improve particularly vulnerable young people’s social skills and wellbeing.
To find out more about the Play project visit www.reading.gov.uk/PlayTransformation
Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said:
“Prospect Park is our major destination park in west Reading, but people come from all around to enjoy it and this project will play beautifully in enhancing the assets we have in the park for future enjoyment.
“Not only will this benefit the local community, but it will also attract a diverse range of visitors to one of our most prominent green spaces, enhancing its reputation both locally and regionally. Reading currently doesn’t have a significant outdoor activity centre such as Wokingham’s Dinton Pastures or Bracknell’s Go Ape. This proposal for a low ropes course, mini-golf and climbing walls would provide Reading with a unique mix of indoor and outdoor facilities for children and families. I personally can’t wait for a mini-golf round amongst some of Reading’s finest heritage buildings!"
Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, said:
“It is a key priority for us to drive an increase in activity, health and well-being across the borough, with targeted work in the community to reach those in most need, and work towards reducing health inequalities. Alongside our major investment in modern new sports facilities at Rivermead and Palmer Park, this development will help us increase leisure opportunities and in doing so significantly improve the health and wellbeing of our young people.”
The council add that the development is just one aspect of the enhancement and investment being made within Prospect Park. The playground has been prioritised as urgently needing improvements, particularly free accessible equipment for children of all abilities. Plans for the playground have received planning approval and work is also anticipated to start in spring 2022.
Details for relocation and enhancements to the children’s playground can be found here: www.reading.gov.uk/ProspectPlayground
Palmer Park
Also this week work started at Palmer Park on a long overdue swimming pool and revamp of the gym there. Councillor Hoskin apologised over the long delay in getting the work underway. The nearby Arthur Hill Swimming Pool closed in 2016. He blamed a number of factors including Government cuts for the hold up and apparent lack of succession planning.