South Reading park benefits from £290k investment

South Whitley Park also known as South Whitley Recreation Ground, is located in the far south of the town, opposite junction 11 for the M4, being screened from motorists’ views by trees and hedges.

The park has recently seen a number of improvements thanks to a spending project by the council.

The basketball and multi-use games area (MUGA) has been revamped, and new paths have been established so that people are less likely to get their feet wet or muddy in the winter.

Although less noticeable, substantial drainage works have been undertaken to prevent waterlogging and flooding.

READ MORE: Site plagued by flytipping transformed by opening of new play area

Councillor Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), who represents the area and has welcomed the improvements, said “[The basketball court] was looking fairly tired, so it’s all been relayed with new surfaces, hoops and equipment which has all been done really well.

“[The drainage] was quite a substantial investment, but it means that the basketball pitch will no longer flood.

The basketball court at South Whitley Park. Credit: Cllr Micky Leng

“We’ve also got a kiddies park, it’s got sensory equipment and climbing frames, it’s absolutely fantastic.

“It’s a match for anything across the town, anything.”

The park is almost divided into two parts, with the basketball court and MUGA accessed from The Maying and Harness Close, and the children’s play area accessed from Farmers Close.

The children’s play area by has been resurfaced, with play animals ( an elephant, lion and camel) and sensory play equipment being put in place.

Play facilities at South Whitley Park. Credit: Cllr Micky Leng

Additional outdoor gym stations have also been installed, with the aim of the improvements being to cater for the surrounding estate’s families.

A council spokeswoman said: “The overall project has been very well received by the residents.”

The council spent a total of £290,000 on the improvements, with £205,000 coming from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and £85,000 coming from the government’s parks Levelling Up funding.

CIL funding involves developers providing the council money to fund public projects such as the improvements made at South Whitley Park.

Cllr Leng said: “It’s important that the wider community sees the benefit of development in their areas.”

READ MORE: Reading motorcycle shop set to be converted into convenience store

Trees have also been planted at the toddler play area to create natural shade, 10 dawn redwood trees have been planted, and seven willows  planted as well, which will help with drainage once they are matured.

To the far eastern side of the park by Lexington Grove, 18 plus apple, plum, cherry and pear fruit trees have been planted to create a community orchard, with three cherry trees also being planted to mirror an existing cherry tree. 

The trees for the community orchard were planted in March this year using the £85,000 of levelling up funding.