Local Residents Invited to Vote on New Blagrave Playground Designs

READING Council is inviting local residents to vote on their preferred designs for two new play areas within Blagrave Recreation Ground.

Blagrave Recreation Ground, located in the centre of Tilehurst, has been earmarked for a £200K investment, as part of Reading Borough Council’s capital investment programme for play areas over the next 3 years.

The existing equipment and surfacing have reached the end of their life and the Council is now taking this opportunity to replace everything and reconfigure the two playground areas within the park to make best use of the available space.

The new play areas will include a mix of play equipment which is accessible to all abilities.

The Council has invited a number of playground manufacturers to submit proposed design ideas for the new playground, which have been shortlisted and used to consult with local residents.

The five successful shortlisted designs (listed A to E) can be viewed online and people can vote on their favourite designs at: www.reading.gov.uk/Blagrave

The public consultation will take place from January 13^th to February 3^rd 2021.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Member for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said: “It is one of our key priorities that we provide high quality, accessible equipment in as many of our playgrounds as possible so that children of all abilities can play together.

“I’m delighted that we are able to put such a significant sum into Blagrave Recreation Ground. Understanding what our children want in terms of play spaces just makes common sense, and I’m really pleased we’ve been able to ensure this by engaging the local community in viewing, discussing and voting for their favourite designs, as well as consulting with Reading’s Access and Disabilities Working Group.

“I’d encourage local residents to check out our shortlisted designs online at www.reading.gov.uk/Blagrave

“The really good news is that by late spring, children in Tilehurst can look forward to exploring and enjoying two new play areas at Blagrave Recreation Ground.”

Once the consultation is completed the results from the public consultation will form part of the final selection of the winning design, which will also include consultation with the Reading Access and Disabilities Working Group and assessments on value for money and technical competency.

The winning design scheme will be announced in February 2021. It is expected that the work will start on-site during March 2021 with an aim to be completed by May.

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