A newly transformed Medway Road play area has opened in Worcester, giving families another free place to enjoy over the Bank Holiday weekend and beyond.
The play area has undergone a major five-month refurbishment as part of Worcester City Council’s programme to improve play facilities for children and young people across the city.
The £116,900 project includes £100,000 from planning-related developer contributions, with Worcester City Council meeting the remaining cost and delivering the scheme.
The former ramps for bikes, scooters and skateboards have been replaced by a colourful coastal-themed playground designed for children of different ages and abilities.
At its centre is a large ship climbing structure and seaside mural, alongside monkey bars, swings, an octopus-shaped seesaw, slides and an interactive play board.
Accessibility has been an important part of the new design. The playground now includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and ground-level trampoline, while a communication board has been installed to support non-verbal children and adults.
The toddler area has also been enclosed with railings, helping to make it safer for younger children, and there is a dedicated area for older children and teenagers with social seating and hexagon swings.
The improvements follow consultation with local residents earlier this year. Residents asked for more inclusive and varied equipment, improved accessibility and better safety surfacing.
Councillor Adrian Gregson, Chair of Worcester City Council’s Place & Economic Development Committee, said:
“The transformation of Medway Road play area is another major milestone in our Worcester Play Plan.
“Following the successful refurbishments at Horizon Hub and Ronkswood, we are continuing to invest in high-quality, inclusive play spaces across the city.
“It’s fantastic to see residents’ feedback reflected in a vibrant new park that can be enjoyed by children of all ages and abilities.”
Medway Road is the third Worcester play area to reopen this summer following refurbishment, after improvements at Horizon Hub and Ronkswood Hub.
The projects are part of the Worcester Play Plan, a city-wide programme aimed at improving play opportunities for children and young people.
With the Bank Holiday weekend approaching, the newly opened playground also offers Worcester families something increasingly valuable – a fun day out that doesn’t cost anything.