A long-awaited replacement children's play park at Swindon's Coate Water Country Park is almost ready for the public.

The outdoor space is one of the town's most popular destinations for families, but it has been without a usable play area for several years after the previous one, which was prone to flooding, was demolished.

That area was turned into a quiet remembrance garden last year, but at that point, no progress had been made on replacing the play area.

But, after delays and many months of waiting construction finally started on the new facility earlier this year, and after weeks of construction it is almost ready to be opened to the public.

Ward councillor for Badbury, Lawn and Chiseldon, Jenny Jefferies, is one of the people that have been working behind the scenes to bring the new park to the area, and she posted a recent update on the park.

“I’ve been working so hard for four years now to bring this play park to fruition. We’re now going to be ready in the spring of this year, just as the snowdrops are coming up,” she said.

“Our children are going to be able to enjoy this, including the children with limited mobility.

"It’s a wonderful, wonderful park. It’s for everyone. All the children of Badbury Park, Lawn, Chiseldon and in fact all of Swindon.”

All of the play equipment has been installed and features a variety of things for young people to do and interact with.

Disability campaign group Mum’s on a Mission, which contributed heavily to consultations in the design stage of the park went to visit it recently too and has come away calling it ‘the most accessible play park that we’ve ever seen in Swindon’.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We went on a team visit to the site of the Coate Water play park. And we were absolutely amazed by the progress there so far!

Swindon Advertiser: Mums on a Mission on a visit to the new Coate Water play park, SwindonMums on a Mission on a visit to the new Coate Water play park, Swindon (Image: Mums on a Misson)

“We really love the multi-play unit with the ramps, the lovely range of sensory panels, the roundabout and the range of swings being installed - including a large nest, a high-backed swing and, of course, of our desperately needed wheelchair-accessible swing.”

They did raise some issues concerning the see-saw and the in-ground trampolines but added: “Overall though, it is looking fantastic, and we can’t wait for it to open.”

The £500,000 funding for the new play park has been secured from Section 106 developer contributions.