The BMX track at Barrow Hills was closed earlier this year. A notice says that an inspection by Vale of White Horse District Council officers, alongside local experts, found that the track is too dangerous. Short-term repairs were considered, but these would not be cost-effective.

As a result, officers are now exploring funding options for a full redevelopment of the track.

This image shows the track around twenty years ago, when it was already past its best. It was used by BMX riders as well as rollerbladers and skateboarders. It was there long before the Skate Park at The Leisure Centre.

The land was given to the community by Paddy Dockar Drysdale, who previously owned land in the area.¹ The wider park, including the car park and football pitch, remains open.

¹ Richard Dudding, Wick Hall: The Story of a House and a Family

Good news for families living near the Chaunterell Way play park in south Abingdon! The park, which often floods due to the nearby River Ock, now features exciting new play equipment for children to enjoy.

Among the new additions are a step trail, a shopfront play feature with a sign that can flip between “closed” and “open,”

and musical elements like a xylophone and a sound synthesizer tube. There’s also a tic-tac-toe game and a railway engine play structure for young visitors.

In addition to the play equipment, the park now has updated signage.

The new sign promotes safety, reminding parents and guardians that children must be supervised at all times. Abingdon Town Council has stated they are not liable for injuries caused by lack of supervision.

For those interested in fitness, the park also includes exercise equipment, scattered across the open, unfenced areas of the park. These facilities are accompanied by a new and detailed set of usage guidelines:

Important — Please read these instructions before beginning your workout
• Users of this equipment do so at their own risk, Abingdon on Thames Town Council does not accept any liability for loss or injury caused by the use of this equipment.
• Users must be 1400mm or taller to use the gym equipment.
• Children must be adequately supervised by an adult. This is not play equipment.
• Read the instructions on each piece of equipment first.
• Begin your exercise routine with a warm up session. Start slowly and build up intensity gradually.
• Aim to do at least 20 minutes of medium to high intensity exercise overall.
• Allow 5-10 minutes stretch off and cool down after your session.
• Stop if you feel faint or dizzy. Do not use under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• If you are in any doubt about your health or level of physical fitness, consult a doctor or fitness professional before using this equipment.
• Be courteous; allow others to use this equipment as soon as you have finished your session.
• Stand clear of all equipment when in use by someone else.
• Do not use any equipment if it appears damaged or malfunctioning
• In case of accidents, please contact 999 or 111. The nearest Minor Injuries unit is at Abingdon Hospital.
• In the interest of safety, please do not bring dogs, glass or alcohol into the area.
• Please help to keep this site in good working condition.

The new signage reflects a trend to prioritise safety and minimise liability.

The Vale of White Horse District Council have announced a phased re-opening of their play areas beginning on Monday 6th July.

Safety checks will need to be carried out to make sure equipment is safe for people to use, after being unused for over three months. The first play area to re-open will be at Abbey Meadow in Abingdon, followed by others across the town.

Visitors will be urged to stay safe by following a few simple instructions which are being introduced to reduce the risk of people transmitting COVID-19. People are asked to:
* wash or sanitise their hands before entering the play area and then again after they leave;
* come back at a quieter time, if the play area is busy;
* follow social distancing.
* The council is also asking that only one adult per child is in the play area at a time.

If anyone notices any issues with a Vale play area they are asked to report it by calling 01235 422404 or by emailing parks@southandvale.gov.uk. To report anti-social behaviour – call 101.

About half the play parks in Abingdon are run by the Vale and half by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council. Their re-opening will be managed separately.

I went for an early walk this morning and passed through Southern Town Park – a large, enclosed park with basketball court,  and lots of grass and young woodland.

There are still some methane vent pipes along the side by the houses of Andersey Way to show it was once a waste tip. Remembering back to twenty five years ago, there was a rather poor swing and a seesaw which were not enclosed, and then emptiness like you were at the end of the world.

Nowadays there are giant sand pits, a net swing, various climbing frames, picnic tables, and a zip wire, although this morning the cradle was not there – so probably being repaired.

There is also the area where the original play equipment was, although that was improved, and then refurbished again about eight years ago.

Woodland next to the park has become well established, and the rugby/football/ tennis clubs are opposite; the marina and marina park are close, as are walks by the River Thames.

The park is managed by the local Vale of the Vale of the White Horse District Council (VWHDC), while Abingdon Green Gym regularly hold work parties there. I see they will be there on March 24th, wild flower planting and litter picking.