A children’s playground in Shiplake, Henley-On-Thames, has undergone a vast renovation and expansion, thanks to a £50,000 donation from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.
The playground, located at the Memorial Hall off Memorial Avenue, had just swings, a slide, a springer chair and a climbing frame, until the revamp took place. After completing the year-long project, it now features equipment designed for children of different ages and abilities.
A toddler spinner, toddler trail, swings, a small climbing frame, a slide and a mimic village shop have been added for young children to use. Whilst for older children, there are two different types of swings, a junior spinner, a wordsearch panel, a large climbing frame and a seesaw.
Adults can also use some of the new facilities within the new exercise area, which includes an air skier, parallel rails and two sit-up benches.
Chris Penrose, chair of Shiplake Parish Council, which led the project, said: “After a year of hard work, it’s wonderful to see this finished playground. The children used it before the opening and loved it — the feedback has been absolutely fantastic. I am overjoyed not only for how it looks but for what it will mean to Shiplake.
“I’d like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who helped make this happen especially Tarmac for their generous support, Shiplake Memorial Hall and my fellow councillors and Parish Clerk.”
Kevin Browne, unit manager at Tarmac’s Sonning Quarry, said: “We’re pleased to be able to support this project. It’s a great facility for children and it’s good to know there are still places to have fun and be active and get fresh air.
“I know how much hard work goes into projects like this so it must be very rewarding for everyone who worked on this to see how great it turned out.”
