CHILDREN have tested out some of the new equipment at Abingdon’s refurbished Southern Town Park.

About 25 pupils from Caldecott Primary School were invited to see the play area, which has been given a £60,000 facelift.

The highlight of the event was testing the multi-use swing — a big basket in which youngsters can sit in. It is also suitable for younger and disabled children.

Other equipment includes a climbing frame, hammock and seats and a shelter for children to use as a meeting area.

Alison Rooke, chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, officially opened the play area, off Lambrick Way, on Thursday.

She said: “When the Vale council started this project we knew that making it happen would need a lot of hard work from a lot of people, including the residents.

“But the most important people are the children. They are behind everything that’s happened, they played their part in making sure their park was developed their way. I hope they treasure it and keep it a special place for generations to come.”

Other improvements to the 15-year-old facility included providing an attractive play area for children aged between eight and 13. The equipment is also designed to allow children to safely experience risk and challenge, and bark has been placed under the equipment to cushion any fall.

Mary Lambe, Vale landscape manager, said: “Children need to experience fun. They want to climb up something high.”

The project was based on ideas provided by children from local schools.

Ms Lambe said: “We went to all the local schools with a questionnaire last September.

“Caldecott Primary School submitted quite a lot ideas of how they wanted the play area to look and what they wanted it to include.”

The scheme was commissioned by the Vale and funded by the Government’s Playbuilder Scheme.

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk