CHILDREN, parents and volunteers celebrated as the opening date for a long-awaited playground grew ever closer.

The Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground closed because of financial concerns in December 2009.

But after more than two years and tireless efforts from its volunteer committee, the playground is set to open again on Monday, April 16.

The committee held a special event on Friday to show off its spruced-up buildings and equipment.

Chairman Kieran Watson said: “We are about 80 per cent of the way through with the first stage of our refurbishment now, so we are still going to be opening as planned.

“The response from the whole community has been brilliant.”

At yesterday’s event, children from the estate performed songs and dances to members of the public before taking part in various Olympics-themed activities.

The playground, which opened in 1976, was struggling to reopen after being turned down for Big Lottery Fund money and cash from Oxfordshire County Council’s Big Society fund.

But it was helped back to its feet last November with a £6,590 grant from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Oxford Mail’s parent company.

It has now also received grants from Blackbird Leys Parish Council and others.

Mr Watson said: “It’s exciting to be nearly there now.

“It’s been a bit of a labour of love and we’ve overcome so many barriers to be here.

“But the committee has been fantastic, we’ve supported each other along the way and now we’re here.

“It’s amazing to see the community coming in and starting to enjoy this space again.”

When reopened, the playground will cater for eight- to 13-year-olds with after-school clubs and weekend and holiday activities.

Work experience students from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy in Buckinghamshire pitched in with the refurbishment.

Sharon Adams, 18, said: “It’s nice how all the community have been working together – it’s lovely to see.”

Fellow student Xhilda Fkenderaj, 20, said: “Everyone here seems really close, it’s nice to celebrate that with this event.”