Worcester City Council knows that play is important for children and young people of all ages. Play helps people make friends, stay healthy and connected with each other.

In 2019 the South Worcestershire Open Space Assessment (SWOSPA) revealed a deficit in children’s play spaces in Worcester.

It identified an 18% shortfall in the provision of play space for younger children, based on a metric of open space per child in the city. For youth provision the shortfall was significantly higher.

In late 2022 the City Council, in conjunction with architects Harper Perry, undertook a ‘mapping the gaps’ analysis to locate existing public play spaces across the city of Worcester, and to identify where the shortfall of provision was most apparent.

The Worcester City Play Plan 2022-2027 provides an evidence base on which a strategic plan has been drawn up for the delivery of high-quality play and outdoor youth facilities to meet the needs and aspirations of children, young people and their families and carers.

You can view the full Worcester City Play Plan below:

The Splashpad in Gheluvelt Park is a popular free water play facility which is open daily between May and September each year.

After 15 years of use the facility had become unreliable and required regular repairs.

During 2025 the City Council invested £366,000 in a new water filtration system and safety surface for the facility, alongside new pumps and a water holding tank.

Several of the popular water features were also repaired.

The Worcester City Play Plan resulted in the Council building the city’s first track at Battenhall Park, which opened in November 2024. with an investment of £60,000.

The pump track is designed to offer a safe and fun environment for riding bikes, scooters, skates and skateboards.

This was followed by a much larger ‘destination’ pump track adjacent to Perdiswell Leisure Centre, which opened in March 2026 with an investment of £210,000.

The outdoor track includes an access loop for learners, alongside a challenge track for intermediate and experienced users.

With large parking capacity, and access to public toilets and a cafe this facility has very quickly become a ‘destination’ venue for pump track enthusiasts, with users travelling from across the city and from much further afield.

During the summer of 2026, three parks in Worcester were completely transformed.

Horizon Hub, Ronkswood Hub and Medway Road reopened during the summer holiday period.

All the work was carried out following consultation with residents, who were invited to share their ideas and priorities for the parks.

The Play Area at Horizon Hub was extended to include an embankment with a double slide with a new carousel and inground trampoline added, as well as a fantastic new selection of swings. The site benefitted from an investment of £107,000 with new safety surfacing laid throughout.

The Play Area at Ronkswood Hub includes an extension to the toddler zone with a new story telling area, castle feature and stage area to encourage imaginative and creative play.

The junior area was extended to include a new climbing blox feature (the only one in the city) as well as a completely refurbished zipwire.

The project also provides a ‘Make Space for Girls’ zone with a set of hexagon swings, spin bars, stepping bars and a hammock. The site benefitted from an investment of £160,000.

Medway Road is located near to the Lighthouse Family Centre, and so a coastal theme was introduced which includes a seaside mural on the side of the building.

The toddler area was extended to incorporate new swings, a carousel and an inground trampoline, with the area also being securely fenced.

A new junior area has been created with the centre piece being a large ship with numerous play features. In addition, a new multi-play unit, see-saw, rotary spinner and ground graphics were also installed.

Another ‘Make Space for Girls Area was introduced with hexagon swings providing a great opportunity to meet up and socialise with friends, whilst enjoying some physical exercise.

Social seating was also added with loungers and high seating designed to provide a welcoming and relaxing environment. The site received total investment of £114,000.

A substantial area of safety surfacing was also laid throughout each of the play zones.

Feedback to date on all three projects has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s so rewarding to see so many local children exploring and enjoying all the new facilities.

Other Play Area/Multi-Use Games Area refurbishments have also taken place at the following locations:

• Cripplegate Park
• Lansdowne Road
• Field Walk
• Old Tolladine Road
• Waverley Street

A new ‘Play on the Way’ concept has been introduced at Cotswold Way on the route to and from Cranham Drive Primary School.

Power Park in the St Peter’s area of Worcester will receive a £319,000 investment in its play facilities, in what will be the biggest single investment in children's play/youth provision ever undertaken by the City Council.

A successful consultation exercise received 154 public responses, which along with that of local schools, SEND groups, St Peter’s Parish Council and community groups will help shape the future park.

Plans will now be developed over the winter months for a contractor to commence on site next autumn, with completion due by the end of 2027.