Maidenhead & Windsor

Youngsters in the Maidenhead Boyn Grove area will be in for a treat this summer with the opening of their exciting new play area at Punt Hill open space.

Part of the Maidenhead Royal Borough's ongoing plans to invest in local parks and open spaces, the £73,000 scheme will be ready in time for the school holidays and will include the most up-to-date play equipment, including talking flowers, an aeroskate, gyrospiral and pod swing, as well as the usual swings and multi-play units.

The play area, aimed at Maidenhead children aged four - 12 years, is the result of widespread consultation with the local community and incorporates opportunities for activities chosen by them – for example climbing/agility, swinging, sliding, balancing and imaginative/social play.

There will be seating for grown-ups, and a new footpath from Courthouse Road will make it easy for parents/carers wheeling prams and buggies to get to the play area. Special access needs have also been taken into account in the design – including the needs of people with mobility difficulties, impaired hearing, learning difficulties, mental health problems and impaired vision.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said the Punt Hill play area was yet another chapter in the council's programme for upgrading parks and open spaces across the borough.

He said: "I am delighted that we have been able to bring about a number of recent improvements in local parks, thanks in the main to Section 106 developers' contributions. This new play area is totally developer-funded and it is a terrific addition to the activities on offer for local children. I am confident that when it opens in time for the school summer holidays it will be greatly enjoyed."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead