29-07-2025
Latest on new Swindon sports park replicating Birmingham 'play zone'
A new Swindon sports park has officially opened to the public, six weeks ahead of schedule.
The Buckhurst Field play zone is part of £600,000 improvement works in the area which were first announced in June 2024 by South Swindon Parish Council.
Plans for the Walcot play zone were given the green light in August 2024 and now, almost one year on, it's available for use.
The play zone was originally predicted to open in mid September, after South Swindon Parish Council was told the building work would take 12 weeks to complete.
However, eager to get the site up and running in time for the school holidays, the council has worked to get the sports facility built in just six weeks.
Councillors Steve Allsopp and Jamal Miah at the newly opened sports park (Image: South Swindon Parish Council) Buckhurst play zone now offers a facility for football, basketball, netball and volleyball, just a short distance from the Buckhurst community centre.
Local councillors Jamal Miah and Steve Allsopp visited the court to celebrate the opening, and speak to the young people who are going to benefit from it.
"All were very positive about the benefits of the new facility," said a spokesperson for South Swindon Parish Council.
"The Playzone will operate as a bookable facility but as a treat for young people, we will keep the court completely free to use during the summer holidays with the court gate remaining open.
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"However, there may be periods where the court will close, to protect the tarmac while it sets the Playzone should not be used if the surface temperature goes above 25 degrees.
"There remains some work to complete with the tarmac needing to still set before the line markings are introduced to the court and CCTV is being installed.
"Line markings will be added within the next four weeks and CCTV is set to be installed at the beginning of August."
Buckhurst play zone is open for use (Image: South Swindon Parish Council)
Buckhurst Field has undergone a large redevelopment project (Image: South Swindon Parish Council) The project has been a partnership between the parish council, the Football Foundation and Swindon Borough Council.
The parish council says it hopes the facility, which has been modelled off a similar play zone in Birmingham, will encourage more women and under-represented communities in sport to get active.
The £600,000 Buckhurst Field improvement project, of which this play zone is a part, also marks South Swindon Parish's largest-ever investment into recreation facilities in the town.
Other works included in the project, such as the rebuilt skate park, refurbished sports pavilion and tarmacked car park, have already been completed.
Reacting to the new play zone, one Swindon resident said: "This is a great facility and has been an important space for local kids, especially during the weekends and holidays."
Another added: "Great to see facilities for kids being built! Well done South Swindon Parish Council."
