Park built as part of Salisbury River Park project on Ashley Road opens

It is finally open, the new play area at Salisbury River Park. It's described as a vibrant and accessible space designed with direct input from local schoolchildren.

This highly anticipated facility, located at Ashley Road Open Space, is now open to the public, just in time for families to enjoy during the school summer holidays.

Representatives from Salisbury City Council, the Environment Agency, and Kier gathered at the new play park on Thursday, 21 August, to mark its opening. This new play area is a key feature of the broader Salisbury River Park project, which is transforming central Salisbury to reduce flood risk, enhance biodiversity, and improve community amenity. The Salisbury River Park project is a collaboration between the Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council, and is constructed by Kier.

The play park was designed by Green Play Project and developed in consultation with Disability Interest Group of Salisbury (DIGS) to ensure inclusivity, with features like flat surfacing, wheelchair access, and equipment specifically designed for children of all abilities.

Visitors can discover engravings of artwork by Sarum St. Paul's schoolchildren on the equipment; view the vibrant colour palette, created by artist Zac Newham in collaboration with students from South Wilts Grammar School, that reflects the colours within the river itself; and spend time in the central climbing structure, which is filled with educational information and activities reflecting the local ecology.

Cllr Sam Charleston, Leader of Salisbury City Council and councillor for Salisbury St Paul’s Ward, said, “This play area is a key feature within the new River Park, helping to shape a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive environment. The children’s artwork has transformed this into a truly unique space, adding colour, creativity, and character that will be a real benefit to our community. We’re thrilled that it’s now ready for families to enjoy.”

Andy Wallis, the Environment Agency’s Project Lead, said, “The Salisbury River Park project has been a great demonstration of the added benefits, such as improved amenities in Ashley Road and Fisherton Recreation Ground, that can be provided for the local community as part of a large engineering scheme. It has been a privilege working collaboratively with the local schools and community groups to input to the design of the play park to create a lasting benefit for future generations.”

Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, said, “We are delighted to see this new play area open, bringing fun to families and children in Salisbury. It marks an exciting milestone in the journey towards the full opening of the transformational Salisbury River Park, which will soon offer even more for our community to enjoy.”

Anya Hallett of Green Play Project said, “We have been delighted to work for the Environment Agency to design and build the new playground at Ashley Road.

“Celebrating Salisbury’s unique ecology, the bold blue path flows through the site, taking inspiration from the natural formation of a river, with the areas of sedimentation deposition along the inner curves and erosion along the outer edge of curves. The shape allows for a gradual revealing of views and discovery of play interventions, responding to them as it meanders around, creating different activity zones. 

“The designs of the bespoke play elements are inspired by local wildlife and informed by consultations with the Environmental Agency, local school children and disability groups, to ensure the end result works for the unique site and children of all ages and abilities.”

This exciting new facility is ready for public use. Visitors are advised that fencing work around the park and the dismantling of the old play park facilities will continue over the coming weeks.