FAMILIES have been given the chance to have their say on a planned £800,000 community playground for an Oxford estate.

More than 200 people visited an information day in Underhill Circus, Barton, to find out more about the plan.

Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council are working in partnership to design and build the playground, which will be spread across more than one site on the estate.

An indoor play centre and a safe play centre are likely to sit next to the neighbourhood centre in Underhill Circus, while an outdoor facility will be built next to Bayswater Brook in Barton Recreation Ground.

Howie Watkins, the county council’s Play Pathfinder manager, said the idea behind the scheme was to involve children and the community as much as possible in the design of the facility.

Children from Bayard’s Hill Primary School are among those who have already begun coming up with ideas for the playground, which could be operational by Christmas next year.

Mr Watkins presented ideas and food to visitors at the event on Saturday. He said: “It went absolutely marvellously.

“We had a really good turnout of children and young people, as well as a number of parents from the area.

“The feedback from the community was really positive.”

A shop in Underhill Circus will be converted into an information centre about the playground in the New Year.

The playground will be the centrepiece of County Hall’s Play Pathfinder scheme, which has been financed by a £2.6m grant from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Mr Watkins added: “The impact of this facility could be huge. There is a real lack of play facilities in Barton.

“People realise Barton has a lot of kids in it and they need some improved facilities.

“The challenge now will be to involve the children in the design so they get what they want and something they can be proud of.”

news@oxfordmail.co.uk For further information, or to submit ideas, call 01865 323 990 or email pathfinder@oxfordshire.gov.uk