MORE details have been revealed of the revamp of Keynsham Memorial Park’s upper play area.
Bath and North East Somerset Council says the final design has been agreed and that work is due to begin in mid-September.
The new-look play area will have a climbing wall specifically designed for the park, where children will be able to climb sideways as well as upwards.
It will also feature a rope swing, new play mounds including a tunnel, and an inclusive carousel with a wheelchair space.
The existing slide will be retained, with improved surfaces and pathways.
The revamp, which is being delivered by B&NES Council and Keynsham Town Council, has been designed by landscape architects following public consultation.
Specialist play provider Wicksteed will carry out the works, which are expected to take up to 12 weeks.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable B&NES, said: “The new play area at Keynsham Memorial Park is particularly exciting because it has been shaped by local feedback and will create a more inclusive place where children of all ages and abilities can have fun.
“We’re committed to investing in our parks and green spaces because they play an important role in improving physical and mental health. It’s been wonderful to see families enjoying the parks we’ve upgraded already and there’s much more to come.”
Councillor Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, said: “We are delighted to see this exciting project moving forward. Keynsham Memorial Park is one of the town’s most popular and well-loved green spaces, enjoyed by families from across our community.
“We’re especially pleased to see some new innovative designs which will excite our children, as well as some of the popular existing play equipment which will remain as part of the new design.
“Some of the new equipment will give even more youngsters the opportunity to play, explore and have fun together. We look forward to seeing families enjoy the new play area for many years to come.”
When B&NES Council released images of its proposals in May this year, parents reacted with fury to the designs on social media, complaining that they showed too little equipment, too much empty space and a lack of imagination.
It is not clear what changes have been incorporated to the final designs since then.
At the time, B&NES Council released images of how the play area would look.
But its announcement of the final design is accompanied only by photos of existing play equipment from other locations as examples.
The new announcement has again left parents unimpressed on Facebook.
While elements such as the accessible carousel have been welcomed, some were unhappy that it appears to be the only piece of genuinely inclusive play equipment.
There were calls for more trees for shade, more seating and possibly a water feature. Some felt that the proposals were uninspired compared to what is available in other play areas, such as the Royal Victoria Park in Bath.
One person commented: “It would be very interesting for you to highlight in which ways you listened to feedback? It still looks very poor.”
Another said: “A real shame Keynsham doesn’t get the park it deserves. Waited a long time for this update and it doesn’t feel like it responds to the community feedback. Not a patch on the park offerings in Bath…. What a missed opportunity.”
The Voice has approached B&NES Council for comment about how feedback has been incorporated, and if and when other images will be published.
