ONE of Oxford’s most popular parks is getting new play equipment as part of a £150,000 facelift.

The play area at Cutteslowe Park, North Oxford, is being redeveloped by the city council, with work expected to start in March.

Graham Jones, chairman of the Friends of Cutteslowe and Sunny-mead Park, said £75,000 would be spent upgrading existing play equipment, leaving £75,000 to turn the former bowling green into a new play area. Mr Jones said: “Cutteslowe is now one of the most popular green spaces in the city.

“Last year we had children and parents waiting outside the play area because there was not enough room to fit everyone in.

“More facilities are badly needed, and, as well as replacing existing equipment, there will be consultation on the development of the old bowling green.

“The plan is to have an informal children’s play area, with ropes, a sandpit and a wooden fort as one of the main features.”

Mr Jones said the Summertown Stars Football Club, which uses the park, was working with the Football Foundation to build a new pavilion. He added: “I used to play sport there in the 1960s and the club needs a better pavilion to suit modern needs for 22 young teams.”

Bob Timbs, the council’s executive member for leisure and sport, said: “Cutteslowe is one of the council’s most popular parks and visitor numbers keep going up.

“Last year it won a national Green Flag award, and we want to keep improving the facilities there to keep the kids happy, especially during the summer.”