Children enjoy newly improved playground at official opening
Schoolchildren climbed, spun and zip-lined at the official opening of a newly improved playground in Abingdon.
Cotman Close playground has had an extensive makeover thanks to Vale of White Horse District Council.
On Friday 2 May, ward councillor Andrew Skinner joined Sarik and Flint from nearby Thameside Primary School along with their headteacher Laura Youngman and local artists Tom and Jess to officially open the new playground.
Pupils from the school worked withthe twolocal artists to design new signage for the play area.
They also helped come up with the new unofficial name for the park: Thameside Whizzer Park.
Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “I’m pleased that the playground is made from sustainable materials.
“It’s fantastic that not only do the kids get to enjoy the park, but they also helped create it with their ideas and enthusiasm. And I think the new name they’ve come up with is perfect.”
Laura Youngman said: “Our Head Pupils (Flint and Sarika) were delighted to be asked to formally open the new ‘Thameside Whizzer Park’!
“It was an absolute privilege for Thameside School to have been involved in the design and naming of the new park facilities and for pupils to play a central role in its creation and final naming.
“Supporting our children to be responsible and kind citizens who make a positive difference to their local community is an incredibly important aspect of our vision at Thameside, and this was a wonderful example of how they were able to be part of developing this vital part of the local community.
“Our pupils are already enjoying every minute of exploring the wonderful new equipment!”
The council consulted children and staff from the school as well as local residents about what type of equipment they would like to see in the new playground.
Families can now enjoy fully accessible play equipment and picnic tables in the area. A butterfly ‘game station’ offers a combination of sensory, tactile and fun activities and puzzles, while an inclusive toddler unit also features a wheelchair ramp making the area more accessible.
Students at the school will be also planting ‘flower fireworks’ soon to brighten up the playground even more.
Where possible, the playground equipment was made using recycled and recyclable material.
