The new play park in Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow has been opened officially at a special ribbon cutting ceremony today.
Local school children, including those who had helped with the project, joined the celebrations on Thursday 15 June as Cllr Reg Waite, Chairman of Vale of White Horse District Council, declared the new play park open.
As a result of this £320,000 investment from the district council, Abbey Meadow is now home to the impressive Grand Abbey climbing area, an ‘Abingdon Lock’ river scene, a sensory garden, an area for ball games, and lots of traditional play equipment.
The new Abbey Meadow play park has been designed by play equipment specialists eibe who based their design on Abingdon’s history and the park’s location.
The site is part of a wider £615,000 project to attract more visitors to Abbey Meadow throughout the year. Later this year the area will see new toilets and changing room built, along with a new accessible pathway.
Vale of White Horse District Council is also investing a further £1.3million to replace the outdoor pool. The new pool is expected to be open in time for summer 2018.
Cllr Reg Waite, Chairman of Vale of White Horse District Council said: “I’m very proud to declare the new play park open. This is a great site for families and we have already received an overwhelmingly positive response from families who have visited the area so far.”
Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council said: “Our aim is to attract many more visitors to Abbey Meadow and the wider Abingdon area as a result. We’ve already seen thousands of people come down to Abbey Meadow to enjoy the new play equipment and this is incredibly rewarding for everyone who has been involved in the project.”
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “While other councils are reducing the amount they spend on leisure and recreation we are providing significant investment. The new site will really help to position Abbey Meadow as a must visit free location for families from across Oxfordshire and the wider area.”