COLOURFUL designs for Witney’s new £250,000 splash park and adventure playground set to open in August have been revealed.

The plans involve a series of water features, such as weirs, bridges and touch button activators, as well as climbing frames with pirates’ crows nests, masts and rigging.

The project is the result of five years of fundraising by Witney town council and a community group called Liven Up The Leys, chaired by Witney resident Deb Benn, and all concerned seem delighted with the results.

Witney town council awarded the construction contracts to two firms a fortnight ago.

Our top stories

Chris Holiday, Witney Town Council’s head of recreation, said: “I think it’s great. The design has got a lot of different interests from little children up to the bigger ones. It’s a very inclusive design and we wanted to make it accessible to all. It is particularly important that it has a disabled bridge.

“It has a feature which allows the kids to build dams which we all know they love doing and when the kids press on certain areas water jets shoot up. The climbing tower is massive and we hope people will see it as they drive into Witney and decide to take their kids there for the day. We wanted it to be the best park in West Oxfordshire. It’s awesome.”

Harry Eaglestone, chairman of the council’s splash park working party, said: “We have had some terrific support from the Witney business community Techlec and the Shake Shop have both pledged amounts and Nortons have been extremely generous.

“Thanks to all who have pledged and donated, we are now looking forward to a top notch, outstanding play feature right here in our town and that’s fantastic.”

Three companies bid for the splash park element of the design and the town council chose SSP Water & Play to build it. A firm statement said: “The Super Soaking natural stream themed splash pad will keep kids cool all day long.

A wide variety of in-ground jets at various heights and patterns will excite children throughout the completely accessible for all ages and abilities play zone.”

The adventure play area contract was awarded to Huck Nets Ltd.

The centrepiece will be a bespoke double crows nest climbing tower similar to the one installed at Burwell recreation ground.

There will also be a play village with teepees, a story telling chair, a zip wire, a leaf or mud pit and areas with equipment dedicated to climbing, swinging and sliding for all ages and abilities.

Chair of the town council’s Amenities Committee, councillor Chrissie Curry, said: “The Splash Park is a project that a lot of people have been working very hard on for a number of years. I would like to offer a huge vote of thanks to them and to those that have generously donated money.”

  • To fundraise or sponsor a part of the park phone 01993 777828.