Upgrades for ‘hit’ Wisbech park splashpad

A popular splashpad will see £60,000 spent on upgrades to make it more ‘attractive and accessible’ for people to use.

The Wisbech Splashpad, in Wisbech Park, opened in August 2022 and offers a range of water play equipment that is free for children to use.

Fenland District Council’s cabinet said the splashpad has been a “hit with local residents and visitors”, setting out plans for upgrades.

The authority plans to install a new shaded area and benches, as well as undertaking landscaping improvements before the splashpad reopens this summer.

New water features are also proposed, including sensory water elements and water play areas for children with disabilities.

The new water features are not due to be installed until next year, as Councillor Peter Murphy, portfolio holder for refuse and cleansing, parks and open spaces, said the parts have to come from Canada.

Cllr Murphy said: “The splashpad in Wisbech Park has proved a hit with local residents and visitors for the past two years.

“This project will improve the offer to make the splashpad even more fun for young people and families.

“The planned enhancements to the Wisbech Park Splashpad will result in a direct investment in the existing park and will increase the attractiveness and accessibility of the splashpad to users.

“The intention is to enhance the splashpad with a new shaded area, landscaping and new benches, enhancing the water features for users.

“The enhanced water features will start next year, as it is about four to six months for the parts to come and unfortunately the parts have to come from Canada.

“The other two, the new shaded area, and the landscaping and the new benches, will begin this year.

“The project aims to increase usage and visitor numbers to Wisbech Park.”

The splashpad project is part of the district council’s £30million Fenland Inspire programme.

Last month the authority said it would speed up the delivery of projects included in this programme, ahead of any changes to council structures being implemented under the planned local government reorganisation.

The government has asked council leaders in the area to put together plans for a ‘simpler’ council structure in the area.

This could see existing councils abolished and fewer larger unitary authorities created, which provide all the council services that are currently split between Cambridgeshire County Council and the district council.