AFTER much fanfare, the first Oxford play area to be been refurbished under a £2.5m city wide programme has officially opened.

Botley Road Recreation Ground became the first to be spruced up — and opened yesterday in time for the Easter holidays.

It is a good news story and one we are pleased to report.

The state of the majority of the city’s play areas is a disgrace and the money being ploughed into bringing them up to scratch is welcome, but should have been spent years ago.

The results in Botley Road are great, but there is a long way to go yet before the council can give itself a pat on the back.