Neighbours called to vote for their favourite design for play area at Reading park

Families and neighbours can now vote on their favourite design for an exciting new play area at a park in central Reading.

Victoria Park Recreation Ground is located off George Street and is the closest park for neighbours living between Reading West station, the town centre and Bath Road.

Now, families and neighbours are being encouraged to choose their favourite design for an all-new play area at the park.

People can vote on five options, all of which provide play facilities for children including slides, swings and adventure areas.

Option 1 is centred around a slide with children ending up ‘in the water’ amongst a shark and a turtle.

Option 1 for the design of a new play area at Victoria Park near central Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Some of the other options have specific themes, with option 2 being safari based, with play equipment having lion, caterpillar, crocodile and panda designs.

Option 2 for the design of a new play area at Victoria Park near central Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Meanwhile, option 3 invites children to be ‘Tropical Tree Explorers’ centred around a big tree house play frame.

Option 3 for the design of a new play area at Victoria Park near central Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Option 4 has an animal theme, with the playground floor being decorated with images of butterflies, fish and ducks. Children can also pretend to be on a ‘Wildlife Express’ on a static train.

Option 4 for the design of a new play area at Victoria Park near central Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Finally, option 5 eschews a theme to focus on the equipment, which will feature swings, a slide and two rope net pyramids.

Option 5 for the design of a new play area at Victoria Park near central Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

You can vote on your favourite design on the Consult Reading website, using the ‘click here to see designs’ button for detailed plans.

The vote comes as Reading Borough Council is investing £458,000 in the accessible play area for children aged between 3 years and 12 years.

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

“Victoria Park remains a hugely popular destination with the local community, which is why I’m delighted we’re delivering this significant financial investment for local residents.

“I very much look forward to hearing what residents think about the designs.

“I’m encouraging local parents, carers and our young residents alike to take a look at these fantastic designs and let us know which one they would most enjoy.

“ Every child 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 with mobility and support needs.”

The vote is open until Monday, June 10.

The winning design will be announced in late June with work currently planned to begin in the Autumn.

Essential considerations for the final design include consultation with the council’s Access and Disabilities Working Group and detailed assessments on value for money and technical competency.

The relocation of the new play area, which will be shifted slightly to the right of the existing area accessed from George Street, was approved by the council’s planning applications committee on April 24.