AN INVESTMENT of £331,000 is being made to transform three play parks for children of all ages in Worcester.
Horizon Hub, Ronkswood Hub and Medway Road play areas are all set to be reshaped over the coming weeks.
The work follows consultation with residents, who were invited to share their ideas and priorities for the parks earlier this year.
Work begins at Ronkswood Hub play area this week, Horizon at the beginning of June and at Medway Road from the start of July.
The projects at Horizon Hub and Ronkswood Hub are set to be completed by July 17, in readiness for the start of the school summer holidays.
Meanwhile, work at Medway Road is due to be completed in early August.
The schemes are being funded through planning-related developer contributions and are being organised by Worcester City Council.
At Ronkswood the investment will expand play opportunities and improve accessibility for all users.
New features for toddlers will include a storytelling/fairytale area and a stage for children to practice imaginative performances and to enjoy creative play.
There will also be additional seating, a roundabout, seesaw and chalkboard. New safety surfacing will also be laid.
Some of the existing equipment for older children, such as the zip wire, will be retained and refurbished.
New equipment will include a new social swing area, hexagonal climbing blocks, stepping posts, somersault bars and an inclusive net hammock.
Following resident consultation, the design also includes improved accessibility and tree planting. Existing bark and log edging will also be replaced with a safer and soft play surface.
The improvements at Horizon Hub will make the most of the available green space, while creating an inclusive environment for all users.
The design extends the play area down the grass embankment to Stanley Road, along with the creation of a new pedestrian entrance.
The new embankment play area will include a double-width slide, scramble net and wildflower garden.
Some of the existing play equipment, including the toddler and junior climbing frames and the youth shelter, will be retained. New additions will include a ground-level trampoline, see-saw, a play spinner, a tree seat and an exciting range of swings, including an inclusive basket swing.
The Medway Road play area will be transformed to include a coastal-themed design, featuring a ship for children to climb and play on.
New equipment will include monkey bars, social swings, a seesaw, an accessible slide, interactive play panels and inclusive seating areas.
A separate enclosed area for younger children will include a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and ground-level trampoline, along with additional seating.
The design reflects feedback from residents, highlighting the need for more inclusive and varied equipment, along with improved accessibility and safety surfacing.
All three play areas will also have picture communication boards installed in convenient locations to support non-verbal children and adults.
