Playtime gets a lot more fun in Wolvercote (From The Oxford Times)

Playtime gets a lot more fun in Wolvercote

12:10pm Tuesday 17th May 2011 in News By Chris Buratta

A MUCH loved playground in Lower Wolvercote is the latest Oxford park to be revamped.

The £39,000 upgrade at the site in Godstow Road includes a new cone climber, combination play frame, sprung see-saw and refurbished swings.

Wolvercote councillor and Lord Mayor of Oxford John Goddard officially opened the village play area at the weekend.

He said practical improvements, such as replacing ageing equipment, meant a lot to families at a time of cutbacks.

He said: “This has been a play area in Lower Wolvercote for a very long time and it is really good to have some more modern and safe play equipment.

“It has been a long time coming, but it makes it all the more worth it when it does arrive.”

“Parents and children can enjoy it.”

Meanwhile, refurbishment work costing £115,000 is also on-going at the play area in Bury Knowle Park, Headington.

The work, believed to be one of the council’s biggest refurbishments of a play area this year, will create a Narnia-themed playground for children.

It is hoped the work will be completed in time for the Headington Festival on Sunday, June 5.

The city council is pushing forward with the second year of its £2.5m programme to revamp children’s play areas across the city, following confirmation that funding is secure.

Some 38 playgrounds have been updated as part of a three-year citywide programme that will see 55 sites improved.

Other play areas that are due for refurbishment include: Ridley Road, Cowley; Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys; Mistletoe Green, Greater Leys; Dene Road, Headington; Friars Wharf, St Ebbe’s; Cowley Marsh, Cowley; Sandfield Road, Headington.

The Department of Education is also funding an £800,000 play project in Barton, along with 11 other schemes across Oxfordshire.

These are at: Appleton; the Ark-T Centre, Cowley; St Louis Meadow, Banbury; Blewbury; Carterton; Middle Barton; Hook Norton; Sandfield Road, Oxford; Bury Knowle Park, Oxford; Shipton-under-Wychwood; and South Oxford Adventure Playground, off Whitehouse Road.

City councillor Van Coulter, a trustee of the Play Barton project, said: “Everything is ready to go.

“I have seen the architectural plans and building work should start any moment.”