WORK is underway on Pershore’s new water play area, which will pay tribute to part of the town’s heritage.
The design of the new splash pad in Abbey Park is based around the history of famous local horse racing derby Land O’Plums Steeplechase, and features a racecourse section for youngsters to compete against their friends.
Along the way there are various water sprays to leap over and even a winner’s podium. Other parts of the splash pad include a reed shower, raining daffodil and The Tree Tipper, which has been inspired by the local Pershore Plum Tree.
There’s also a water spraying Freddy Frog and a ponded zone with weir gate dams to create flooded areas to splash around in.
The play area will be slightly bigger than the old splash pad and some trees will have to be removed as part of construction. New trees will be planted nearby to replace them. The railings are also being removed to give the area an open, natural feel.
Wychavon is investing more than £327,000 in creating the new splash pad as part of an ongoing improvement programme to the district’s water play areas, which have reached the end of their natural life and are increasingly expensive to maintain.
Work is being carried out by The Splash, the company behind the creation of the popular water play area in Evesham’s Abbey Park which opened earlier this year.
Coun Emma Stokes, executive board member for Resident and Customer Service on Wychavon District Council, said:
“This will be an amazing addition to Pershore’s Abbey Park and I can’t wait to see it completed. It’s just another example of how Wychavon continues to invest in our award-winning parks and open spaces.”
The new splash pad is expected to be open by April 2024.
