New £200,000 playground designed to be inclusive

PLANS for a refurbished and extended £200,000 river-themed playground in Goring have been approved.

Goring Parish Council had submitted plans to South Oxfordshire District Council for the new playground in Gardiner Recreation Ground, which was bequeathed to the community in 1888 by Charles Lawrence Weare Gardiner for the purpose of community recreation.

The council signed the contract with Proludic UK in December with the hope of completing the project in time for the school Easter break.

Accessibility is at the heart of the design, which offers a wide range of play opportunities for children aged two to 10. The surfacing has been planned to ensure easy access throughout the site.

It will comprise slides, climbing equipment, roundabouts, a trampoline and sensory play areas, designed to promote imaginative play, social interaction and inclusivity for all ages and abilities.

The footprint, which includes a winding river path through the space, has been extended by 4m to the north to maximise play opportunities.

The site, which sits in the conservation area, also features natural materials wherever possible and includes picnic tables and benches. The new playground will honour the legacy of the small existing one, which was built in 2001 in memory of Toby Moses, who died in 1999, aged five.

His family spearheaded fundraising for the playground, with contributions from the family, Moulsford Preparatory School and the district council.

The new project was made possible due to a grant of £200,000 from the district council.

Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, leader of the district council, who also represents the Goring ward, said: “A really cool grant, which uses developer contributions, has made this project possible.

“In 2019, when my little one was young and I first started campaigning, parents were asking about doing something about the playground.

“As a parent, having this free facility is really important because everything is really expensive now. It’s taken a long time but we’re almost at the finishing line now.”

Sonia Lofthouse, chair of the parish council, said: “We’re delighted to see the development of a second new playground for Goring’s children moving forward.

“The new Bourdillon playground has been a fantastic success and the Gardiner playground will provide a much-needed additional play space for the village.”

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