Potential options for replacement of Hinksey Park Splash

Closed 10 Nov 2023

Opened 19 Oct 2023

Contact

CHANIDES Caroline

Leisure, Parks & Communities Service

cchanides@oxford.gov.uk

Feedback updated 12 Jan 2024

We asked

We asked for the public’s views on the option for a “Little Wheels and Wet Play Park” in Hinksey Park on the old Hinksey Splash site.  

You said

  • 311 people surveys completed. A very high response rate, demonstrating the importance of this play facility, both to the local community and beyond 

  • 80% of respondents used the former splash facility 

  • Postcode analysis reveals respondents are from within the local community, wider city and across Oxfordshire. This confirms Hinksey is a destination park that needs to meet the desired play provision of a wide catchment area 

  • 74% thought the enclosure should be open all year round 

  • 74% supported the idea of a dedicated space where younger children can develop their motor skills on balance bikes 

  • When asked if their children would use a Little Wheels & Wet Play Park, the majority 68% said they were very sure or somewhat sure they would use the facility. 17% said they were somewhat unsure or very unsure 

  • Some respondents were in favour of the multi-use design, whereas some had concerns about combining the two facilities within the same enclosure 

  • Other respondents suggested alternative idea’s including a café, natural play, imaginative & creative play and something for older children. 

We did

The results of the consultation have provided evidence to support a large external funding application to the FCC Community Action Fund. This funding is not guaranteed, and the project would also be reliant on other sources of funding yet to be agreed. We will find out in March whether the funding applications have been successful. 

Overview

The splash feature at Hinksey Park has come to the end of its life and has had to close. The costs to build a new one are likely to be significant and will be challenging in the current financial climate. However, we are looking at how we might be able to try to do this which includes exploring external funding opportunities and different delivery options.

One of these options is to deliver a multi-use play space to provide year-round play opportunity, which we hope will also be distinctive enough to attract some external funding contributions. The concept would be to combine a slightly smaller splash feature with a starter ‘learn and play’ balance bike and scooter track for younger children: ‘Little Wheels and Wet Play Park’.

Artist’s representation

Why your views matter

We would like to understand whether this is one option that you might be interested in and any comments you may have. We would also like to understand your feedback and comments on what other play based options might be of interest should we need to adapt our concepts to the level of funding we achieve. We would be grateful if you could answer our brief questionnaire and give us any comments by 10th November 2023. If there is strong support for the proposal, we would make bid applications for external funding (but note external funding bids are not always successful!).  Many thanks.

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Parks and Green Spaces
  • Splash Parks