Maidenhead & Windsor

A new leaf is about to be turned at Oaken Grove Park in Maidenhead with the installation of improved facilities – including replacement fences, new footpaths, 28 additional trees, shrub beds and a multi-use play area comprising two tarmac football/basketball courts – reaching the 'finishing touches' stage.

On Friday February 9 at 2.30pm pupils from Furze Platt Junior School will join representatives from the Pinkneys Green Youth & Community Centre, Pinkneys Green Community Association and the Maidenhead Round Table and community wardens at the Blenheim Road end of the park to mark the final stage of the works which are due to be completed by the end of February.

The Maidenhead school pupils will plant bulbs around the newly planted trees and a symbolic football with '£1,000' written on it in bold – to mark a £1,000 contribution from the Round Table – handed over to Pauline Braham, youth worker at the youth and community centre.

The park improvements were introduced following consultation with the public in 2006 and the £120,000 cost funded entirely by Section 106 developer contributions.

The £1,000 from the Round Table, which is part of the proceeds from its Santa Claus collection, will be used to finance Easter and summer holiday activities organised by the Maidenhead Royal Borough at the new facility. These will include basketball, football and cricket coaching and volleyball.

A grand opening event is being planned by young people from the Pinkneys Green Youth & Community Centre in the next six weeks.

Carol-Anne Matic, anti-social behaviour coordinator, said: "This is a great opportunity to bring more sports and activities to all members of the Pinkneys Green community.

"These much-needed improvements to the park will provide a more welcoming environment for all park users, while the multi-use play area offers young people the chance to enjoy an even greater choice of activities in an area specifically designed for their needs."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead