Final proposals have been made for the play area now that funding has been confirmed.  The proposed design will be on display at St. Andrews School, London Road, Headington on Monday 29th November between 3pm and 7pm.

Please feel free to drop in and view the proposals as this will be a final opportunity to make comments before orders are placed for equipment and materials.

The design will also be on display at Bury Knowle Library for people to drop in and view from 29th November.

Please do pass this information on to anyone else you think may be interested in viewing the proposed design.

Here is an update from last night’s open meeting.  The news is good in that they are going to retain a couple of pieces of toddler play equipment after all, and they are hoping to put a proper boundary around the play area comprising hedges and fencing, both wooden and metal, so that should sort out the concern about dogs.And yes! there WILL be a zip wire! And a ship like structure (allegedly), a rope bridge over a hollowed out pit, a low wall children can climb over but high enough to keep the dogs out, a sandpit, big stones/rocks to walk on, springy ‘stepping stone’ platforms to walk on or springy ride-ons, etc. The theme is to use natural materials like wood and stone whenever possible to tie in with the park’s featuresI’ve asked them about further consultation, they say they’d like to put out the contract to tender by 6 September, and we discussed the possibility of them putting up their design plans in either Bury Knowle Library or the Baptist Church towards the end of the month so people can look at them and make comments – they don’t have these plans finalised yet but may be able to provide a link electronically at some point in the near future, I’ll post it up when I
get it

Some good points from parents this afternoon – face the slide away from the sun as it gets too hot, and put a slope up in front of the swings to stop toddlers running in front of them and getting hit. Lots of questions about disabled access too. Toddler play equipment appears to be divvied up across the whole area rather than in one toddler zone – views, anyone?

Notional timelines liable to slippage: order equipment beginning of October, start the work mid November, complete January 2011 though subject to weather conditions. Fortunately delays in the process have meant work won’t take place over the summer, that’s a relief!

You are invited to a consultation event on Monday 25th January from 7pm to 9pm at St. Andrew’s School, Headington

We would like as much involvement from residents, young people
and members of the local community as possible so please attend.
We would like to give more information about the proposal and
generate ideas for the refurbishment of the play area at Bury Knowle Park based on community needs.
If you have any queries or suggestions that you would like to voice
about the proposed refurbishment, or would like to get involved in
the scheme then please contact Groundwork at:
oxfordplay@groundwork.org.uk or on 07969 546494