New play area for Alwyn Road Recreation Ground

Designs for the £100,000 play area were drawn up following a public consultation, with the final blueprint featuring many of the suggested ideas.

The play area, set for completion early next month, features a host of new equipment, including a cone climber, a flying saucer, multi-play unit, mini matrix climber, and a range of swings.

The recreation ground revamp also includes new park benches and a range of outdoor gym equipment, set to be installed later in the summer.

Alwyn Road Recreation Ground was made a Queen Elizabeth II Field by Fields in Trust in 2012, protecting it as an outdoor recreational space for future generations.

The new play area forms part of the council's investment programme in new play facilities for the borough, and follows the opening of a new play area at Newbold's Avon Mill Recreation Ground in March.

The council also invested £15,000 in new play equipment at Caldecott Park just before Christmas, while in the autumn a new, £250,000 play area was opened in Cawston.

Cllr Dr Mark Williams, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, said: "By consulting with our communities, we make sure we deliver the facilities residents want.

"Play forms a vital role in a child's development, and our commitment to invest in new play areas means the borough's children can enjoy the best facilities in our parks and open spaces.

"Many councils across the country have been forced to cut such investment in recent years, but here in Rugby, through innovation and sound financial planning, we're still investing in the future."

Photo caption: Cllr Lisa Parker, ward councillor for Bilton, Cllr Dr Mark Williams, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, and Cllr Craig Humphrey, ward councillor for Bilton and leader of Rugby Borough Council, at Alwyn Road Recreation Ground's new play area.