Thousands of pounds will be spent on building a new play park for children at Coate Water.

But before the diggers move in the borough council wants to hear from users of the park – children and their families – about what they want to see there.

The new play facility, which will be built behind the splash park, will be inclusive, with equipment for youngsters with disabilities as well as able-bodied children and fully accessible toilets and changing rooms.

The council has started a two-week consultation where people can write in online with what they’d like to see.

And the council’s cabinet member for leisure Robert Jandy was at a stall near the site with council officers to kick the consultation off.

He said: “We’re very keen to get on with the new play park, but we do want to hear from people about they want.

“This isn’t about just putting it in and saying ‘here it is’ and then finding out whether it’s what’s needed or wanted. We want to be able to put in the sort of things people want from the start.”

Coun Jandy said Coate Water was hugely popular but needed an upgrade. “People love it here – it’s probably one of the jewels in out crown. But it does need a bit of a polish. We want to make it better for children and as inclusive to all families, so this consultation is very important.”

Coun Jenny Jefferies, whose Chiseldon & Lawn ward covers Coate Water showed up to support the consultation.

She said: “This is such a great place, but it does need a bit of a spritz and they cost money these days, so it’s important we get it right.”

Suzanne Grier was at the park with her daughter Sarah and granddaughter Mia. After speaking with officers, she said: “It’s a great idea, and really good to ask our opinion. It’s good to make the park as inclusive as possible.

“I said Mia really loved the trampolines set into the ground in a park in Swanage last week. So I’ll be saying they should have these here.”

“Anything to make better parks is good. But I think the important thing is to maintain them and keep them up, so they don’t get worse over time or close.”

Coun Jandy

hoped the work might be completed by May next year to open in time for summer

The park will be part of a £400,000 improvement plan for the beauty spot.

The consultation is open now and runs until the end of Friday September 3. It is available online here.