CHILDREN in Headington have been braving the cold weather to enjoy an early Christmas present.

The ageing play area in Girdlestone Road has been completely overhauled in time for the holidays.

The £55,000 revamp, which took six weeks to complete, was part of Oxford City Council’s ongoing £2.5m programme of playground refurbishment across the city.

New state-of-the-art equipment, for both toddlers and older children, has been installed including a multi-climbing unit with slide, a large rope swing and toddler swings.

Designs were drawn up following consultations with families in the area and the location of the park was moved to help address parents’ concerns.

Mark Lygo, the council’s executive member for school liaison, sport and play, said: “The new play area is a huge boost to local residents and a great Christmas present to the youngsters. It is far more accessible than the old play area which was behind the shops on Girdlestone Road.”

Mr Lygo said parents had raised worries that the old play area was hidden from view.

The council is progressing with year two of its £2.5m play area refurbishment programme following confirmation that funding is secure.

The existing Wolvercote play area, opposite The Red Lion pub, is being remodelled at present – based on the ideas of children at Wolvercote Primary School who took part in special design sessions.

Some 37 playgrounds have now been refurbished as part of the three-year citywide programme that will see 55 out of 87 areas revamped.

Other play areas that are due for refurbishment between now and April 2011 are: Ridley Road, Cowley; Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys; Mistletoe Green, Greater Leys; Dene Road, Headington; Friars Wharf, St Ebbe’s; Bury Knowle Park, Headington; Cowley Marsh, Cowley; Sandfield Road, Headington.

The Department of Education is funding an £800,000 play project in Barton and 11 other schemes across the county. The sites are: Appleton; Ark-T Centre, Cowley, ; St Louis Meadow, Banbury; Blewbury; Carterton; Middle Barton; Hook Norton; Sandfields Road, Oxford; Bury Knowle Park, Oxford; Shipton-under-Wychwood; and South Oxford Adventure Playground (Abingdon Road).