A PLAYGROUND has opened for families to enjoy after refurbishment works worth £35,000 were completed.

The freshly uplifted facility in Horrocks Close, Colchester, opened after a winning design was chosen by primary school pupils.

The attraction has more than 20 features including a multi-play area, toddler zone and swings providing an exciting play experience for children of all ages.

The winning design, commissioned by Colchester Borough Homes, was chosen by children from St George’s Primary School, in Canterbury Road.

More than 300 students pondered over three options and eventually selected a concept designed by Sutcliffe Play.

Refurbishment work on the scheme began last month and took just more than two weeks to complete with assistance from Colchester Council.

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Colchester Borough Homes’ chairman of the board Dirk Paterson said: “The new playground looks fantastic, and I know it will be incredibly popular with families in the area.

“We wanted to create a new playground around a concept chosen by the children who use it, which is safe and accessible and will cater for youngsters of all ages.

“Given the pandemic, the timing for this couldn’t have come at a better moment. We know just how vital play areas are for children’s health and wellbeing and it is always a delight to see children and families coming together to enjoy them.”

Beverley Oxford, Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for communities, added it will be enjoyed by families for years to come.

She said: “Play is such an important element of childhood, and I am thrilled to see these new facilities, which are part of our ongoing work to make play and leisure facilities for families around Colchester even better and help create healthy and active communities.

“I would like to thank everyone who voted for the winning design and Sutcliffe Play for creating something that’s so much fun, so enriching for children, and which will be enjoyed by families for years to come.”