Pre-planning Exhibition Launched for Prospect Park Transformation

READING COUNCIL has today launched a pre-planning exhibition for its ambitious plans to boost the play facilities offered at Prospect Park.

The Council plans to invest over £500k to build a new multi-use community hub and activity centre in part of the pavilion building at Prospect Park, which will become a new destination for activities, entertainment and learning for families and children from across Reading and beyond.

The pre-planning exhibition will provide more detailed information and designs for the external aspects of the project, ahead of the submission of the planning application in late April.

People will be encouraged to feedback on the proposals when the planning application is submitted in late April as part of the planning process. The application would then go before Planning Committee for approval in the summer and the aim is for the construction to start on site in late summer/early autumn 2021.

As part of the Council’s ambition to improve health and drive up participation in outdoor and active play, the fantastic new facilities would offer:

• accessible outdoor family adventure 9-hole mini-golf; 
• an indoor ‘skytrail’ 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.

The pavilion is the home of the Council’s highly regarded and popular Play Service, and the new centre would also provide an outdoor enclosed education zone to support the team’s educational outreach programmes, including a portable climbing wall and team building activities, such as den and fire building, archery, adventurous play, assault course, an outdoor classroom and much more.

To find out more about the Play project and to view the pre-planning exhibition visit: www.reading.gov.uk/PlayTransformation    

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. Details of the proposals for relocating and enhancing the children’s playground will be available alongside the Play Centre information. To find out more information on the Prospect Park playground improvements visit: www.reading.gov.uk/ProspectPlayground

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said: “I’m really eager to see this project become a reality and I’m delighted we are able to invest over half a million in this ambitious multi-use Children’s hub at Prospect Park.

“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 skytrail, 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! 

“Even more importantly, this development will allow our amazing Play Service to expand the important educational work they do with vulnerable children across the borough. This will be a significant and valuable extension to our provision for vulnerable and SEND children in a fun, safe and welcoming environment. Income generated through paid activities will crucially allow for this vital targeted work to continue.

“This is also just one aspect of the enhancement and investment we are making into Prospect Park. We have prioritised the playground as urgently needing improvements, particularly free accessible equipment for children of all abilities. You can find out more about this on the exhibition pages.

“We think our ideas for this family-friendly adventure hub are exciting and we hope you do too! Find out more and view the detailed exhibition at www.reading.gov.uk/PlayTransformation

“There will be an opportunity to comment as part of the planning process in late April and I would encourage you to view the designs and let us know your feedback.” 

 Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, said: “I’m delighted at the news of this ambitious proposal for the play provision at Prospect Park. 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 project is being funded from money secured via Section 106 agreements and from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – which are both contributions developers make towards local facilities.

Ends