A PLAY area in Oxford which had fallen into disrepair has reopened with new equipment.

Problems with the play area in Normandy Crescent, Cowley, were highlighted in the Oxford Mail more than two years ago.

At the time, the park consisted of little more than an old slide and some swings and dozens of children gathered at the play area to highlight what needed to be done.

Now, as part of Oxford City Council’s £2.5m play area refurbishment programme, the area – which was oficially reopened on Tuesday – has been given a complete overhaul.

Michelle Allen, who lives in Paget Road, visits the park every day with her seven-year-old son Jayden.

She said: “Before the refurbishment we came to this play area once.

“There wasn’t enough equipment to keep Jayden amused, but now it is brilliant.”

The council spent £35,000 revamping the park with a new climbing unit and slide, balance beams and climbing boulders.

One of the pieces of equipment is aimed at testing children’s strength and balance, a large rotating disc which can be used by a group of children together.

Ms Allen said: “We come here every day after school now and Jayden loves it. There is loads of new equipment and it’s always full of children enjoying themselves.”

The new play area was designed following consultation with local residents and young people who use the park, and the work took eight weeks to complete.

As well as new equipment, the whole area was landscaped and a new gravel path installed.

Antonia Bance, the city council’s board member for social inclusion, said: “We are committed to improving play areas in the city.

“This play area needed a complete overhaul and it has been transformed following consultation with local residents.”

Lye Valley councillor Bob Timbs, who is also board member for leisure and sport, had called for the park to be improved.

He said: “It was awful before. There was nothing there at all and it was just barren.

“Now it’s fantastic and the reaction has been really good.”

The council is revamping dozens of out-of-date play areas over the course of two years.

It is planned that all work will be finished by the end of this year.