Residents Invited to Vote on Design For New Westfield Road Recreation Ground Play Area

READING Council is inviting local residents to help choose the design for a new play area at Westfield Road Recreation Ground, part of the Council’s ongoing major investment in playgrounds across Reading.

Westfield Road Recreation Ground, usually referred to locally as ‘Westfield Rec’ or ‘Westfield Park’, is a much-loved neighbourhood park in Caversham with a small but popular play area. Reading Borough Council will be investing £200,000 in extending and resurfacing the area and providing new play equipment. Local residents are invited to have their say on a shortlist of three possible designs which offer an exciting mix of equipment that ensures the play area is accessible to children and carers using mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walking frames and equipment.  All three designs offer a fun environment for children aged 3-12.

The Westfield Road Recreation Ground play area consultation runs from today 10 January to 14 February 2024 and residents are being encouraged to vote on their favourite design.

People can view the designs and have their say here >

Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said: “Outdoor play is vital for children’s health and wellbeing so investment in improved play facilities is always money well spent. Westfield Rec is well-loved in Caversham so I am delighted we’re delivering this significant financial investment for the community and I look forward to hearing what residents think about the designs. The multi-child rocking horse is a really popular feature of the current play area so we have ensured that an updated version is included in all three proposals."

“I’m encouraging local parents, carers and our young residents to please have 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.” 

Once the consultation is completed the results will form a significant 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 will be announced in March 2024 and work will start in April 2024.