Tightening financial restrictions and a growing population are making it more of a challenge to provide play facilities for children of all ages and abilities.

However Watford Borough Council insists it is doing all it can to meet the leisure needs of the town’s youngest residents, especially those who are disabled.

At Cassiobury Park – dubbed “the jewel in the crown” out of the borough’s green spaces – works on a number of different facilities are ongoing, including the creation of a new “splash park” at the paddling pools area where children in wheelchairs can control the flow of water, and flat surfaces so they can actually enter the water.

READ MORE: First look inside new Cassiobury Park Hub

As part of the park’s £6.6m restoration project, a toilet complete with hoist and changing bench will be available at the new Cassiobury Park Hub when it opens later this year.

Watford Observer:

An aerial view of the Cassiobury Park redevelopment

Councillor Karen Collett, responsible for community, said every one of the borough’s 52 play areas had been rejuvenated in the last 10 years but that, as the town’s premier park, Cassiobury had to have “a little more”.

“New play equipment in all our wards is a very good thing, and we’re confident that all are disabled-compliant,” she said.

“We’re looking towards the future. We have kept these green spaces and parks for the children, and it’s great to be able to listen to children and their families about what they want.”

As well as improvements to the paddling pools, the council recently committed to providing £100,000 worth of disabled-friendly facilities at the nearby playground. These new features will include an “interactive and sensory” play area to help children with sensory difficulties, and a roundabout designed for children in wheelchairs.

At Meriden Park, an inclusive area of play equipment for disabled children, funded by the council and Watford Community Housing Trust, can be found in Garston’s Meriden Park Sports Legacy Zone.

The space includes a swing for children in wheelchairs, rotating bowls, a climbing frame, two play orbs and two play panels with safety surfacing.

The supervised Harwoods and Harebreaks adventure playgrounds, which were removed recently to much public outcry, have been replaced with climbing frames at a cost of £1.4m.

Although the Harebreaks facility is not inclusive of all disabilities, it is located next to a recently improved play area that includes a nest swing that children can be lifted onto.

The new Harwoods “adventurous playground” – due to open soon – will contain a “wibbly wobbly bridge” that children of all abilities will be able to enjoy, as well as light-reflecting panels specially designed for children with sensory difficulties.

At Callowland Recreation Ground, the play area has been completely upgraded and made fully accessible, having formerly been difficult to access with wheelchairs and pushchairs.

As part of its ongoing pledge, the council plans to have many of its play areas assessed by Plan Inclusive Play (PiPA) so it can make any necessary changes to improve disability-friendliness.